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The First Christmas
An original screenplay by Matt Green.
EXT. YPRES, BELGIUM - DAWN
The morning sun is barely visible through the dense layer of
haze and fog.
What was once a gorgeous European city has been reduced to
rubble during the intense first few months of the Great War.
In the heart of the rubble stands (barely) the remnants of
The Lakenhalle building.
The following text fades in:
December 23, 1914.
Having failed to push into France and capture Paris
immediately after the onset of war during the Battle of the
Marne, the German army modifies it's Schlieffen Plan and
attempts to take the town of Ypres before moving on to the
Channel ports utilized by the Allies.
The intense fighting that ravaged the medieval town between
19 October and 22 November has subsided.
Battles rage elsewhere, however neither the Germans nor the
Allies consider abandoning their positions in central
Belgium.
The text fades off, followed by:
The following is inspired by an actual event.
The text fades off and the screen fades to black.
FADE IN:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAWN
Death and destruction. Mortar craters, bloodied limbs, and
dead soldiers pollute the luscious, green, flat landscape.
At opposite edges of the screen, no more than 200 yards
apart, are the opposing trenches. Rows upon rows of barbed
wire guard walls of sandbags, which lay like brick
foundations in front of the trenches.
Stationary machine gun positions are the only aspects that
differentiate the German trench from the British trench.
CUT TO:
An overhead view of the trench shows the men of A-Company
standing with a sort of relaxed attitude.
The 6 foot wide trench extends no further than 15 feet
without a sharp degree turn. This pattern goes on for
hundreds of yards.
CPT. ROBERT EVANS, in his early thirties with piercing blue
eyes contrasting his unshaven skin, speaks regally in his
slight British accent.
CPT. EVANS
Sun up, good morning gentlemen.
Various small business tasks to
attend to today as usual.
EVANS concentrates on a small pad of paper in his hand.
CPT. EVANS
1st platoon seems that today you
are scheduled for the first trench
maintenance shift. Of course you
know what to do, so act
accordingly. As you may have
noticed, there was no Morning Hate
this morning before or after
Breakfast Peace, so lucky you it
seems. 2nd platoon, sentry duty.
Sun looks good today compared to
others, so chances are Fritz won't
bother advancing today, but be sure
to keep eyes open. Naturally these
assignments will extend until noon
when duties are switched...and as
always just before sundown both
platoons will stand to until after
nightfall.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS
Yes, sir!
CPT. EVANS
Now we had a slow night gentlemen
so maintenance teams today will
concentrate on extending our
entrenchment towards the east in an
effort to bridge the gap between us
and the French. Pay particular
attention to digging and preparing
latrines and also reinforcing our
fire steps. Now as I said the sun
is brighter today which means
visibility is good so keep your
bloody heads down.
VARIOUS MEN
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Three days until showers gentlemen.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
At least Hell was warm. Between the mud, rats, lice, and
open latrines there is nothing any civilized person would
deem desirable in the trench. The khaki uniforms are not
even remotely recognizable following days of living, eating,
and sleeping in the mud.
Other than the randomly placed weapons, one would not guess
the soldiers were engulfed in the first months of the Great
War. While half of the soldiers are performing maintenance
duties, the other half are busy talking, joking, smoking,
drinking, and playing card games, basically bored out of
their minds with no intention of showing it. A few shut eyes
here and there are often opened in response to others
climbing over them. Despite the immense crowd, the eyes of
the men convey the very definition of boredom.
SGT. TOM ENRIGHT drops his cards into the mud below.
ENRIGHT
I don't understand why you bother.
In his mid-twenties, ENRIGHT is an average looking man who,
unlike the majority of his counterparts, does not speak with
a British accent. He is surrounded by CPL. BAGGETT, CPL.
FERGUSON, and CPL. NATHAN TILLEY (a goofy looking fella), all
in their mid twenties. All the men, save TILLEY, have their
heads shaven. Scruffy and experienced, these men have seen
their fair share of war. They are apparently bored of it.
TILLEY
Bloody fuckin' yank bastard.
ENRIGHT
Count your blessings there was
nothing wagered son.
BAGGETT
This is boring me anyhow.
FERGUSON
This is bullocks.
TILLEY
Bullshit more like it, mate.
(motions towards ENRIGHT)
Bloody bastard is holding every
card in the deck.
A large, disgusting rat walks slowly by the half-circle of
soldiers. The men notice it as it moves past them, but think
nothing of it. They are relieved it is only one.
Beat.
FERGUSON
Three days aye?
ENRIGHT
Is that really our count?
BAGGETT
So says Evans.
TILLEY
Captain knows best don't he?
FERGUSON
Not if he says we got three days
left.
BAGGETT
We've been here for five.
FERGUSON
Well it feels like a lot longer
than that, don't it?
TILLEY
Wait, if we've been here for five,
that would make two whole days
left, won't it?
BAGGETT
What's five plus two?
The men chuckle.
TILLEY
No, smart-ass, shut up all of you.
Think about it.
FERGUSON
Are you serious?
TILLEY
No, yes think about it. We have
been here five whole days, aye?
That means what we are in our sixth
day now, which means we have two
days left.
FERGUSON
It doesn't work like that. Today
is day five, Tilley.
TILLEY
Ferguson if we have been here for
five days that would make today day
six.
BAGGETT
Jesus man, today is day five, the
day already started, this is day
five and after today, we have three
days left.
TILLEY
Look, fuck you then, my whole point
was that it feels like more than
that, I don't know what we are
arguing about.
ENRIGHT
This your first time one the line?
TILLEY
Well fuck you.
ENRIGHT
All I'm saying is that you should
know better than that by now.
BAGGETT
It's been slow, that's the problem.
TILLEY
Exactly right, time is moving like
a bloody Hindu elephant.
A pair of legs walks into view. The group shuts up and looks
up, squinting in the relatively weak sun. They see PRIVATE
AARON SHEPARD, a young Brit whose clean shaven face and lanky
physique makes it seem impossible for him to be a day over
17.
SHEPARD
Mind if I get dealt in?
Beat as the men stare at the fresh meat.
FERGUSON
We ain't playin no more.
TILLEY points to ENRIGHT.
TILLEY
He cheats.
A beat of silence. Trying to break the tension, SHEPARD
places his hand on his knapsack.
SHEPARD
Tiff?
The men look at his knapsack trying to guess what treats are
inside.
FERGUSON
Have a seat, mate.
SHEPARD sits down, opens his knapsack, and offers the men
various treats.
TILLEY
(to SHEPARD)
Hey friend, how many days you think
we've been here?
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
Although the two opposing forces are less than two hundred
yards apart, there is no sound except the sound of birds
chirping. The sun, unable to pierce the thick layer of
clouds, seems further away than one is used to, almost as if
God Himself has given up on the men who ask Him for strength
during battle.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
And then there were five. SHEPARD and the rest are now old
friends as they devour the various snacks he provided. He is
busy playing cards with FERGUSON and BAGGETT while TILLEY and
ENRIGHT sit a few feet off to the side staring up at the sky,
slightly squinting their eyes in the dull sun.
TILLEY
Oh, look look look! That's a
Warbler, ain't it?
TILLEY's POV
Up against the grey sky, he sees a flock of a few small,
brownish birds. They hover over the trench as if they are
trying to make those stuck inside green with envy.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
ENRIGHT
Hey, I don't know, you're the
authority here.
TILLEY
Fuckin right.
(beat)
They were Warblers.
(beat)
Weren't they Warblers?
ENRIGHT
Jesus man, I don't know. Are they
pleasing to the eye, that's all I'm
concerned about.
TILLEY
Ah, shallow bastard.
ENRIGHT
That's exactly what Catherine said.
TILLEY
See, perception of these things
runs in the family, right?
ENRIGHT
Apparently. That and insanity.
TILLEY lightly punches him on the shoulder.
ENRIGHT
Still punch like a girl.
TILLEY
Feminine side, that's what the
ladies like about me, aye?
Beat. TILLEY finally takes his eyes off of the sky and looks
towards the group playing cards.
TILLEY
(referring to SHEPARD)
What do you think about our new
boy?
ENRIGHT lowers his eyes and looks at the group.
ENRIGHT
Considering I've only known him for
about ten minutes, I'd say he's
working out so far.
TILLEY
You know what I mean.
ENRIGHT looks at him again.
ENRIGHT
I don't know, looks normal enough.
TILLEY
Looks a little too baby-faced for
me.
ENRIGHT
Ah, I forgot how creases and
blemishes on someone's face
indicate what kind of soldier they
are.
TILLEY
Bastard.
Beat. The men occasionally glance back up at the sky every
now and then.
TILLEY
So, what do you want for Christmas?
ENRIGHT is amused.
ENRIGHT
New socks. You?
TILLEY
A new razor for me.
ENRIGHT
(motioning towards
SHEPARD)
The baby face making you jealous?
TILLEY
Oh fuck you. I'm worried the
bloody lice are going to move
south.
ENRIGHT
Just follow suit and shave your
head.
TILLEY
Nah.
ENRIGHT
I'm telling you, it makes a big
difference.
TILLEY
Nah you know I don't look good with
short hair.
ENRIGHT
I always knew of your mission to
sexually impress the German
soldiers.
TILLEY
Alright you smart-ass, I'm sick of
you.
(to the men playing cards)
Deal me in, alright mates?
TILLEY takes a handful of mud and smashes it on the top of
ENRIGHT's head as he slides over to the group.
ENRIGHT
Oh, very mature you little shit!
ENRIGHT, smiling, dusts the mud out of his hair forcefully.
O.S. He hears birds chirping, so he quickly directs his eyes
to the sky.
ENRIGHT's POV
A flock of birds, white this time, float majestically
overheard. They circle and float as if they were dancing.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
A small smile appears on ENRIGHT's face. He continues to
watch for a beat. He follows them with his eyes as they
flight out of his point of view. The smile fades. He then
reaches into his coat pocket and removes a folded piece of
paper and a pencil. He props the paper on his knee and
begins the write.
SHEPARD
Ooohhhhhhh!
SHEPARD cheers as he throws his cars down into the mud and
extends his hand.
TILLEY
Bloody fuckin Christ!
BAGGETT
Well that makes no sense.
TILLEY
Lucky, cheating bastard!
The three losers drop two cigarettes each into SHEPARD's
hand. Overwhelmed with content, he turns his head towards
ENRIGHT as if to gloat and sees him not paying any attention
to the game.
SHEPARD
Deal me out this next game chaps.
TILLEY
(in jest)
Get your ass outta here. Some new
playmates are only a few hundred
yards away, you know that right?
SHEPARD, still sitting, slides over next to ENRIGHT. A new
card game continues near them.
SHEPARD
You alright there?
(remembering his rank)
SHEPARD
Sergeant?
ENRIGHT continues writing and doesn't bother to look up. It
takes him a beat or two to reply.
ENRIGHT
Yeah...yeah, I'm good.
SHEPARD
Personal memoirs?
ENRIGHT realizes he isn't going to finish now. He stops
abruptly and tucks the paper into his hip pocket.
ENRIGHT
Letter to my mother.
SHEPARD
Oh, Christ I'm sorry sir, I didn't
mean...
ENRIGHT
(interrupting)
No, no, no, no, think nothing of
it. So, you make out alright?
SHEPARD
(self-satisfied)
Yeah, luck was on my side it seems.
SHEPARD offers him some smokes.
ENRIGHT
Oh, no thank you.
SHEPARD
Certain?
ENRIGHT
No, yeah, I don't, uh, I don't
smoke.
SHEPARD gets comfortable, using his weight to dig himself a
nice little groove in the mud. They both sit in silence for
a beat, ENRIGHT looking up at the sky while SHEPARD studies
him.
SHEPARD
So...what did, well, have you been
here long?
ENRIGHT
Five days, just like you, just like
everybody else.
SHEPARD
No well what I meant...
ENRIGHT interrupts.
ENRIGHT
Since October. The middle of
October.
ENRIGHT's eyes remain fixed on the sky above. SHEPARD
glances up in an effort to figure out what he is looking at.
ENRIGHT
(apparently talking to
himself, rather than
SHEPARD)
Twenty-two.
SHEPARD
Twenty-two, you said?
ENRIGHT
Twenty-two. Twenty-two days on the
line, thirty-five on the reserve
line, and five on personal leave.
SHEPARD
Twenty-two days in this, ey? You
knew what you were getting into
when you enlisted?
(beat)
SHEPARD (CONT'D)
Or did you join before?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Doesn't matter.
SHEPARD finally gets the hint. He leans up against the mud
wall and sits in silence, looking over his shoulder to the
card game in progress. The two men sit in silence. Silence.
Beat.
BOOM! BOOM! Two German trench mortars explode on the ground
outside the trench above SHEPARD's shoulder. Everyone in
sight automatically hits the deck.
A faint WHISTLE in the air can be heard O.S.
CPT. EVANS (O.S.)
DOWN!!!
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND
A bird's eye view of the trench shows explosion after
explosion after explosion. None of the rounds have made it
successfully into the trench as of yet, however they are
coming pretty damn close. Sandbags are exploding, barbed
wire is being torn apart, and loads of dirt and mud are being
thrown into the air. Dismembered corpses are being tossed
around and desecrated even more. Meanwhile, every soldier
lies motionless on the trench floor.
The violent, tremendous explosions continue for what seems
like forever. Explosion after explosion rocks the soft
earth. Then...silence.
CUT TO:
CPT. EVANS
(mad as hell)
STAND TO! COMPANY ON THE FIRE STEP!
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
Every soldier uniformly gets up quickly off the ground and
grabs his Lee-Enfield rifle. Locking and loading, the
soldiers all step up onto the fire step and raise their
bodies enough to barely get their head and rifle over the
paraphet on the trench wall.
In a continuous shot, the CAMERA slides horizontally across
the rear of the trench showing the backs of the soldiers as
they aim towards, what seems like, a serene, open field. Two
rows of barbed wire are all that obstruct the otherwise
beautiful view of a peaceful green field.
CAMERA continues to slide until it reaches CPT. EVANS
standing tall with a whistle in his mouth. He gives is a
forceful blow. The CAMERA begins to slide back the exact way
it came from as every soldier opens fire. They have nothing
to aim at except a general area.
O.S. we hear the deep, booming sound of British TRENCH
MORTARS being fired from the reserve trenches fifty yards
south, behind the main trench towards the town of YPRES.
Through the smoke of the rifles expending their rounds, we
see the mortar rounds explode 150-200 yards downfield,
throwing dirt and mud into the air. Each soldier continues
to expend rounds, changing out their magazines after the ten
rounds have been fired.
CPT. EVANS (O.S.)
STAND DOWN! STAND DOWN!
Every soldier pulls his rifle back and crouches down on the
fire step. The CAMERA stops, and again begins heading back
the other way. It moves, in silence, until it stops again
behind CPT. EVANS, who is the only man left standing tall.
Instead of a rifle, he holds a looking glass and peers
through it down across the field. He continues to look until
the last few mortar rounds hit their marks.
A close-up of CPT. EVANS shows his eyes slowly scanning NO
MAN'S LAND.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
The smoke clears and the dirt finally settles. No troops
advancing.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
SHEPARD, having never seen combat, is rightfully shaken. His
cheeks are moist from tears that have inadvertently escaped
his eyes. He looks up at ENRIGHT, who's eyes seem to be
scanning the trench floor below as if he is listening and
waiting for the next mortal shell to explode above his head.
Although he has been through his share of firefights, no
reasonable man can get used to the caliber of what has just
transpired. The two eventually make eye contact for a brief
few seconds, before ENRIGHT again lowers his eyes,
concentrating on listening for anything to transpire.
ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! German machine gun fire passes right over
head. The tracer rounds can be seen just above the trench
opening. Rounds hitting the sandbags throws tiny particles
of debris up into the air and down onto the shoulders of the
British soldiers below.
SHEPARD
HOLY SHIT!
ENRIGHT
Fuck!
SHEPARD places both hands tightly on his helmet as if he is
afraid it is going to fly off.
Although the sound is not necessarily loud, the unimaginable
feeling of bullets passing inches from you is almost more
than he and many other men can handle.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
CPT. EVANS walks strongly along the trench floor, passing by
man after man crouching on the fire step cowering against the
trench wall.
CPT. EVANS
EASY MEN! KEEP YOUR HEADS DOWN!
EASY!
Suddenly, as quickly as it began, the attack has stopped.
CPT. EVANS stops dead in his tracks and climbs up onto the
fire step near him. Crouching down, he extends a tall
periscope that allows him to peer above the paraphet and out
of the trench.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
CPT. EVANS' P.O.V.
Through the periscope, we see a hazier version of the healthy
green field we saw earlier. The sand and dust takes a minute
to settle, finally revealing nothing except the wondrous
horizon.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
CPT. EVANS steps back onto the trench floor. He glances up
at the sky then slowly scans the men crouching on the fire
step. Eventually...
CPT. EVANS
A-Company, stand down. All clear.
On your feet gentlemen.
The weary men climb down off of the fire step. Many of them
are out of breath from the excitement, and some even have
tears on their cheeks.
CPT. EVANS
Obviously our Morning Hate was a
little late today, ay boys?
Various men are heard laughing politely O.S. with a
rightfully nervous tone in their voices.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
No matter. Fritz has not moved.
Looks up towards the sun.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
And by the look of it we have
missed our shift change. 2nd
platoon, you now have the honor.
Disregard trench extension and be
sure to clear excess dirt and
rubbish off of the floor, the last
thing we need are uneven walkways
and obstructions, yes?
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Sir.
CPT. EVANS
At the same time 2nd, be sure to
prepare sandbags to replace those
lost during our playtime. Gather
them in the northeast corner right
behind me and 1st platoon will set
them up following nightfall stand
to.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
1st platoon, while 2nd is
performing their duties take it
upon yourselves to clean the rifles
and make sure the vibrations have
not compromised the integrity of
the fire step.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Thank you, gentlemen.
As CPT. EVANS turns and heads into his personal dugout, the
remainder of the trench immediately becomes a beehive of
activity.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN.
EXT. YPRES, BELGIUM - AFTERNOON
A bird's eye view of what used to be the center of the town.
The dull sun hits the remnants of the medieval structures
casting hundreds of peculiar, soft shadows.
The CAMERA slowly begins to drift towards the edge of town.
It passes over the RESERVE TRENCH, complete with British
mortar positions. Many soldiers are seen squeezing by one
another inside, obviously hard at work preparing for
nightfall. The CAMERA continues to slowly drift across
luscious green landscape another fifty yards to the FRONT
LINE.
CUT TO:
INT. EVANS' DUGOUT
A claustrophobic's nightmare. The dugout is no bigger than a
small bedroom. Dark, damp, and dirty, thin boards make up
the floor and appear to be holding the walls in position. A
set of standard issue military blankets are laid out neatly
on one side of the room with a pillow at what one could see
as the "head" of the bed. On the opposite side of the room,
no more than five feet away, sits a small desk with a burning
candle.
CPT. EVANS sits on a small chair in front of the desk writing
on what appears to be a set of official military forms.
ENRIGHT enters and stands in the doorway. Other men, busy at
work, continuously move past the opening, causing brief
shadows inside the room.
ENRIGHT
Captain Evans?
CPT. EVANS looks up briefly then returns to his paperwork.
CPT. EVANS
Hey, come in Tom.
ENRIGHT takes a few steps forward.
CPT. EVANS
What news?
ENRIGHT
Sir, trench bottom is clean and
free from obstructions ahead of
schedule. With your permission I
shall have the morning latrines
emptied and new holes constructed.
CPT. EVANS stops writing and turns towards ENRIGHT.
CPT. EVANS
That's a good call, Tom. Two days
left, the last thing we need are
puddles of rotten shit near our
heads while we sleep.
ENRIGHT
Agreed, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Not to mention the smell, yes?
ENRIGHT
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Tom, the "sir" shit is giving me a
headache.
ENRIGHT smiles.
ENRIGHT
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Well fuck off then.
ENRIGHT, amused, relaxes and leans up against a wall while
CPT. EVANS shifts his chair. It has become obvious that the
two are old friends.
CPT. EVANS
What news from this morning?
ENRIGHT
Oh Jesus, that's what I forgot to
mention. No casualties Robert.
CPT. EVANS
Luck.
ENRIGHT
Yeah, yeah it was. We have a few
bumps and scrapes, and a few men
from 1st are complaining about
hearing issues, but other than that
we ended alright.
CPT. EVANS nods his head.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
How's your mother?
Beat.
ENRIGHT shrugs.
ENRIGHT
She's good. As good as one could
expect at least.
CPT. EVANS
Really?
A beat. ENRIGHT nods.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
And yourself?
ENRIGHT
Surviving.
Beat.
ENRIGHT (CONT'D)
For now at least.
CPT. EVANS
I would think that's the best one
could ask for.
ENRIGHT tilts his head slightly as if to convey without words
that he disagrees.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
Oh, shit. You have a new member of
your platoon.
CPT. EVANS searches through the papers on his desk.
ENRIGHT
I'm fairly certain I've already met
him.
CPT. EVANS
Well, that's good because for the
life of me I cannot remember his
name. It's around here somewhere.
(beat)
Anyway, be sure to keep an eye on
him, show him the ropes, and so on.
ENRIGHT
I'm sure he knows how to dig.
CPT. EVANS
I didn't hear that.
ENRIGHT
I better go check on the progress.
ENRIGHT starts towards the exit.
CPT. EVANS
Tom.
He stops in mid-step and turns his head with raised eyebrows.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
It's nearly over.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
If you say so.
CPT. EVANS
You disagree?
ENRIGHT
I don't know. In a way, I guess.
CPT. EVANS
How do you mean?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
I'm trying to think how to word
this.
(beat)
You were here on 19 October when
Fritz began his push.
CPT. EVANS
Yes, you were here with me. So?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
It, it really doesn't matter.
ENRIGHT heads further towards the exit.
CPT. EVANS
It matters to me, Tom. I don't see
your point.
ENRIGHT stops and turns around.
ENRIGHT
I haven't made it.
(beat)
What happened next?
CPT. EVANS
After what?
ENRIGHT
After 19 October. Well, after the
end of what began on 19 October.
CPT. EVANS
Well, obviously we fortified our
positions in response to the German
siege of the town.
ENRIGHT
Um hmm.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
And...?
ENRIGHT
And nothing.
CPT. EVANS leans back in his chair.
CPT. EVANS
So, you would rather be involved in
a continuous firefight? Stand To
all twenty-four hours of the day,
is that it?
ENRIGHT
You misunderstand me, Robert.
CPT. EVANS
Feel free to explain yourself then.
ENRIGHT hesitates.
CPT. EVANS
There is no call to worry about
repercussions in here, Tom.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
There's no point, Robert.
CPT. EVANS
In us talking?
ENRIGHT
I enjoy our chats. There is no
point in what we are doing here.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
I can't respond to that without
turning into a cliché, Robert. But
you know as well as I do that we
are here to serve...
ENRIGHT interrupts.
ENRIGHT
No, Robert. The way I see it this
has nothing to do with a friend
helping a friend, allies, and
whatnot.
(motioning his head
towards the trench)
I honestly wonder whether or not
you realize that nobody out there
who has spent their time on the
line, nobody cares a shit about
whether or not the Germans hold
Alsace, Belgium, or France too for
that matter. Not anymore.
(beat)
Nations that many of these men have
never and probably will never step
foot on cannot possibly be worth
what has transpired here.
CPT. EVANS
I don't know if you have realized,
but I'm down here too. You speak
as if I am some sort of foreigner
in all this.
ENRIGHT looks around the dugout amazed he would say such a
thing.
ENRIGHT
Robert, you are my superior but you
are also my friend so I beg you
don't take offense to this, but
look at the fuck where you are.
(beat)
Now, you are an excellent leader.
The men like you and respect you,
as they should. However, whether
you realize it or not, you have
been an officer ever since the
first shot was fired. Yes,
technically you have spent time on
the Front Line, but realistically
you have never spent time on the
Front Line.
CPT. EVANS
(agitated)
Now, now wait...hold yourself a
second.
ENRIGHT
Robert, you don't deal with the
latrines, or the burials, or the
rats.
CPT. EVANS
Tom...
ENRIGHT
That is spending time on the Front
Line. There is more than morning
Stand To, evening Stand To, and all
the bullshit in-between.
CPT. EVANS
Yes, I realize that.
ENRIGHT
Do you realize that since the
beginning, more men have fallen in
this company by disease than by
enemy fire?
CPT. EVANS realizes there is no argument he can present.
CPT. EVANS
Yes, I know.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
This isn't a war.
(beat)
In a war there are heroes. There
are no heroes here, only victims.
(beat)
It is impossible for us to see
ourselves as anything other than
parts of a machine that sometimes
rolls forward when nobody knows
where, or sometimes rolls back when
nobody knows why.
(beat)
This isn't a war.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
What would you label it as then?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
We have dug our own graves and with
the overbearing intelligence of
those who give the orders, we have
decided to die by disease rather
than by gunshot. What would I
label this as? Simply, it is a
crock of shit where good men, who
are thrown into the middle, die
horribly for no fucking reason.
(beat)
Breakfast truce...
It is CPT. EVANS turn to interrupt.
CPT. EVANS
You are equating civility with a
crock of shit? We are gentlemen,
Tom, as we should perform as such.
ENRIGHT
Come on, Robert.
(pointing out of the
dugout as to suggest the
Germans)
They know it is a crock of shit as
well as we do. They know as well
as we do that with the position we
are in this will never end, because
no human being of sound mind would
see the point of getting out of
this hole to run the equivalent of
three football fields against what
each of us fire back at the other.
Them suggesting that no rounds are
fired during breakfast time is
their way of telling us that this
is rubbish, plain and simple. That
civility as you call it might as
well be a written report on how
this whole situation is
unfathomable. They know it, we
know it, and all it takes is one
brave soul to walk across that
fuckin field and say, "Yes, we feel
the same way, so let's drop our
rifles and head back to what is
actually worth our time."
(beat)
But that would be too easy, so
simple logic would dictate that it
will never happen.
CPT. EVANS
You have most certainly seen what
the Germans have done once
breakfast is over. I know you
have, because you were there with
me.
ENRIGHT
Come now, Robert. You are smarter
than that.
CPT. EVANS picks up a British newspaper.
CPT. EVANS
Have you not read...
ENRIGHT interrupts.
ENRIGHT
You're joking, right?
CPT. EVANS
About what?
ENRIGHT
You can honestly tell me that you
believe in your heart that the
Germans are nothing but ruthless,
cunning, evil savages who are all
bent on taking Europe as their own.
CPT. EVANS
That seems to be their agenda so
far.
ENRIGHT
Not Germany, Robert. The Germans.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
What do you believe?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Perhaps that they are no different
than you or I? Why shouldn't we
believe that one hundred yards from
here there are two friends having
this exact same conversation in
German?
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
If you believe in this theory as
much as you convey, then why not be
that brave soul who walks across
the field?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Because I know that over there
(pointing in the direction
of the German trench)
Much like over here, there are
those who can't differentiate
between what may seem noble, and
what makes sense.
CPT. EVANS does not respond.
ENRIGHT makes it to the exit, looks up to the sky, and then
turns his head back.
ENRIGHT
Almost sunset.
ENRIGHT walks O.S. leaving CPT. EVANS alone with his
conflicting thoughts.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - AFTERNOON
SHEPARD, TILLEY, and BAGGETT are busy digging a latrine,
which is about three feet deep at the moment. Due to the
miniscule amount of space to maneuver, SHEPARD and BAGGETT
are digging from the ground while TILLEY is crouching on the
above fire step, extending his shovel directly into the hole,
basically doing a half-assed job while his mates do the work.
TILLEY
About half way done aren't we?
BAGGETT bends over and peers into the hole.
BAGGETT
Looks about that way.
TILLEY
So what was I talking about again?
SHEPARD
(not excited to have the
impending conversation
again)
I don't know, something about...
TILLEY interrupts with a vengeance.
TILLEY
Oh, yes, yea, so anyway like I said
there is call for confusion here,
am I right?
SHEPARD
(in an effort to be polite
to the more experienced)
Yeah, sure seems like it.
BAGGETT
Jesus Till, give it a rest already.
TILLEY
This is an important topic Bagg, it
has to do with company morale, even
you should be smart enough to see
that, right? Five days would be
one-two-three-four-five whole days
which would equal two whole days
PLUS the extra...
(forgets where he was
headed)
Wait, PLUS the extra half-a-day
since technically we move out at
night, so...AHH!
During his speech, TILLEY naturally extends his legs raising
himself as his excitement grows.
TILLEY (CONT'D)
Bastards trying to sneak an extra
12 hours on us right, mate? Fuckin
bastards, them aye?
BAGGETT
(to SHEPARD while TILLEY
is still yapping)
You had to get him riled up, didn't
you?
TILLEY
Hey, don't blame the kid, the kid
agrees with me, dontcha son?
SHEPARD, the new kid on the block, doesn't want to offend
either of them. He doesn't answer.
BAGGETT
(to SHEPARD)
You wonder why his parents kicked
him out, right?
SHEPARD cracks a smile.
TILLEY
Hey, fuck off alright?
SHEPARD
(referring to the hole)
Almost done, mates.
TILLEY
Yeah, almost done. Not like us.
If you take the total amount of
time we have been here and use
basic mathematics you...
CRACK! A sniper's bullet pierces the back of TILLEY's head
and exits though his mouth. Blood sprays across the faces of
both BAGGETT and SHEPARD. TILLEY's lifeless body immediately
falls straight forward, his head falling into the rear trench
wall, which slows the descent of his body to the trench
floor.
SHEPARD
HOLY CHRIST!
SHEPARD crouches down over the body. Unsure of what to do,
he just feels his neck for a pulse. BAGGETT, stunned at
first, regains his composure.
BAGGETT
MEDIC!!!!
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - AFTERNOON
A MEDIC is shown running along the apparently endless trench
floor. The CAMERA follows behind him in a continuous shot as
he turns corner after corner, trying to negotiate his way to
his destination. He would get there quicker if there weren't
so many God damned people in his way.
MEDIC
MAKE WAY! MAKE WAY!
BAGGETT (O.S.)
MEDIC!!!
MEDIC
MAKE WAY GOD DAMNIT!
The MEDIC has to push his way through the crowd that has
formed around the body. The continuous shot ends as the
MEDIC finally approaches the body and kneels down in front of
it.
TILLEY's body is cold and lifeless. Blood oozes out of his
mouth.
The MEDIC pushes SHEPARD out of his way.
MEDIC
Move, boy!
The MEDIC places his hand on TILLEY's neck and attempts to
roll his head slightly to get a look at the wound. As he
rolls the back of his head off of the ground he exposes a
large puddle of blood that is getting larger by the second
and blood pumps out of the back of TILLEY's head.
MEDIC
(to himself)
Shit.
The MEDIC gently lays TILLEY's head back on the dirt floor.
He slowly gets up and walks back in the direction he came
from. Meanwhile, SHEPARD begins to sob as he sits on the
dirt floor near the hole they had just constructed. BAGGETT
now has his back turned to the body and faces the trench
wall. His head hangs low.
ENRIGHT (O.S.)
Make way!
Just before the MEDIC walks O.S., ENRIGHT squeezes his way
past him and kneels down quickly in front of the body.
ENRIGHT
(with a lump in his
throat)
Oh, no no no no no...
ENRIGHT's eyes slowly fill with tears. He lightly places one
hand on TILLEY's still chest and covers his eyes with the
other hand and begins to weep silently.
O.S. We can hear running. Suddenly, CPT. EVANS shows up only
to see ENRIGHT crouching over the bloody corpse of his
friend. He notices both SHEPARD and BAGGETT consoling
themselves, then looks back down at the body.
CPT. EVANS
(silently)
Oh, Jesus.
From CPT. EVANS POV, we see ENRIGHT's back as he appears to
pull himself together. He slowly turns his head and looks up
at his commanding officer. His eyes are red and filled with
tears. He looks at CPT. EVANS who stares back into his eyes.
As far as he is concerned, this is nothing other than a
casualty of war.
ENRIGHT slowly gets up and begins to walk past CPT. EVANS.
He stops in mid-step.
ENRIGHT
(with a lump in his
throat)
He was a friend, but he didn't die
a hero.
He walks by. CPT. EVANS looks at him as he walks away, then
turns back towards the body.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT
The clouds have cleared somewhat. The CAMERA stares at the
full moon for a beat, then slowly begins to drift down. The
CAMERA angles towards the earth and gives sight to the FRONT
LINE. The CAMERA continues to drift down showing us the
Stand To formation of nightfall: man after man is peering
over the paraphet, aiming his weapon at darkness.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
The CAMERA again drifts slowly behind the backs of the
soldiers, allowing us a view of the apparently eternal
darkness they are aiming at. Almost nothing is visible
except the breath of the men.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
ENRIGHT and SHEPARD stand next to each other looking through
the sights of their Lee-Enfield rifles. ENRIGHT's eyes seem
weary, the eyes of those who has come to expect nothing at
all out of the night. SHEPARD, on the other hand,
continuously darts his eyes from one edge of darkness to the
other.
ENRIGHT
Relax.
SHEPARD looks towards ENRIGHT through the corner of his eye.
SHEPARD
I'm alright.
ENRIGHT
Hey...
(beat)
Relax.
SHEPARD inhales slowly, then exhales in the same manner.
ENRIGHT
I haven't asked you but I can
assume...this is your first time on
the line, is it not?
SHEPARD
Am I doing something wrong?
ENRIGHT
No, no not at all. You're holding
up perfectly.
SHEPARD
How did you guess?
ENRIGHT
It's obvious.
SHEPARD
(paranoid he isn't
performing well)
How?
ENRIGHT
It just is.
Beat.
SHEPARD glances at him and hesitates to ask...
SHEPARD
You knew him well?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Fairly well.
Beat.
SHEPARD
How long had you know him?
ENRIGHT
I still do know him.
SHEPARD is embarrassed.
SHEPARD
I apologize, I didn't mean to
imply...
(he trails off)
Beat.
ENRIGHT
About four years now. We were
friends outside of this...the war.
SHEPARD
I'm sorry.
ENRIGHT
You didn't kill him.
Beat.
SHEPARD
Fucking barbarians.
ENRIGHT
What?
SHEPARD
What?
ENRIGHT
What was that?
SHEPARD
Oh, I said "fucking barbarians."
ENRIGHT stares at him.
SHEPARD
The Germans.
ENRIGHT
No, I know. I was just wondering
if that was what you actually said.
SHEPARD ceases eye contact and returns to studying the
horizon.
Beat.
SHEPARD
He was humorous.
ENRIGHT nods.
SHEPARD looks back out across NO MAN'S LAND for a beat, then
turns his head back to ENRIGHT.
SHEPARD
Are the resupplies showing up soon?
ENRIGHT
Mules.
SHEPARD
What?
ENRIGHT
They are called mules.
SHEPARD
Like the animal?
ENRIGHT
Yeah. Think about it.
Beat.
SHEPARD
Ok, when do the mules show up?
ENRIGHT
Usually a few hours after sundown.
SHEPARD
Why so long?
ENRIGHT
Supplies wouldn't do any good if
they came to us during a German
advancement.
SHEPARD
What do you mean?
ENRIGHT
You do know the whole point between
performing Stand To twice a day
dontcha?
SHEPARD
Well...
ENRIGHT
Once before sunrise and one before
sundown?
SHEPARD
(embarrassed)
Well this is my first time on the
line, see. I just figure follow
everyone else.
ENRIGHT
Well, there's nothing wrong with
that, I imagine.
SHEPARD looks at ENRIGHT for a beat until he realizes he is
not going to continue. He then faces the darkness.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS stands firmly on the fire step scanning the
horizon. Two beat later, he steps onto the trench floor.
CPT. EVANS
A-Company, stand down.
The men slowly step down onto the trench floor. Many of them
lean their weapons up against the trench wall.
CPT. EVANS
1st platoon, sentry duty for the
next four hours. Be sure to
perform this in intervals. It
seems like it may be a slow night
but standing orders still remain,
sleep on sentry duty and you will
be shot on sentry duty.
(beat)
2nd platoon you have the next four
hours leisure time. I can only
assume fires will be lit, so might
as well make haste and let the
resupply mules know we are ready
and waiting.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Thank you, gentlemen.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
Silent night. A few fires burn here and there lit in tin
buckets on the trench floor. Small groups of men sit or
sleep in the vicinity in an attempt to keep warm. Other men
stand on the fire step peering over the paraphet.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
BEAUMONT, a young soldier, stares across NO MAN'S LAND from
the fire step sets down his weapon and squints his eyes as if
he is attempting to focus on something. He quickly steps
down off of the fire step, goes into his issued sack,
scrambles around inside it, and forcefully pulls out a small
looking glass.
BEAUMONT quickly jumps back up onto the fire step, extends
the looking glass, and puts it up to his eye. His expression
changes from curiosity to nervousness as he picks his weapon
and yells...
BEAUMONT
STAND TO! STAND TO!
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
Montage of men jumping up from their rest, picking up their
weapons, and quickly jumping up onto the fire step and
directing their weapons across NO MAN'S LAND.
CUT TO:
CPT. EVANS running in the direction of the origin of the
alert.
CPT. EVANS
Beaumont, what the bloody hell is
going on?
BEAUMONT offers his looking glass to CPT. EVANS.
BEAUMONT
Sir, for your convenience sir.
CPT. EVANS grabs the looking glass quickly and immediately
jumps up onto the fire step next to BEAUMONT. He extends the
looking glass places his eye up against it.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
(to himself)
What the...
CPT. EVANS lowers the looking glass briefly, then raises it
to his eye again.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT
Through the looking glass, we see a single light burning
across NO MAN'S LAND. To the best of CPT. EVANS' knowledge,
the light is coming from the GERMAN TRENCH.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS throws the looking glass he has been using onto
the trench floor and takes out another from his pocket. He
extends it, revealing the fact that it extends much further
than the one he had been using.
He raises it up to his eye.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT
A much better view. Instead of one light, there appears to
be three or four smaller lights within a close proximity to
each other.
Beat.
Suddenly, a few yards away from the existing group of lights,
another one is raised out of the GERMAN TRENCH and remains
stationary.
Beat.
And another a few yards further.
Beat.
And another.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS quickly lowers the looking glass.
CPT. EVANS
COMPANY! FIX BAYONETS!
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
ENRIGHT and SHEPARD, standing on the fire step, pick up their
bayonets and attach them to the muzzle of their weapons. The
surrounding soldiers do the same.
CPT. EVANS (O.S.)
PREPARE FOR ATTACK!
SHEPARD
(scared shitless)
Oh Jesus...
ENRIGHT
(to himself)
Here we go...
(to SHEPARD)
Calm yourself
The CAMERA drifts slowly behind the men showing them at their
utmost attention. Across NO MAN'S LAND, we can see new
lights appearing on the horizon.
CPT. EVANS (O.S.)
STAND TO, MEN! PREPARE!
The men are all in position. They are completely terrified
of the supposedly imminent battle to take place.
CPT. EVANS averts his eyes from the darkness and directs his
eyes towards the trench floor as if he is concentrating on
hearing what is supposed to be coming. A man coughs O.S.
CPT. EVANS
Quiet men!
CPT. EVANS listens for a beat, then extends the looking glass
and peers into the darkness again. After a beat, he slowly
lowers the looking glass.
CPT. EVANS
A-Company! Hold your positions,
men! We will remain on guard
indefinitely starting now!
The first pair of closed eyes I see
tonight will face the firing squad
tomorrow! Understood?!
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (O.S.)
YES, SIR!
CPT. EVANS
Make no mistake, if any of you let
one of them bastards sneak up on us
I will shoot you myself.
CPT. EVANS extends his looking glass again and peers across
NO MAN'S LAND.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
ENRIGHT and SHEPARD are again next to each other, and while
ENRIGHT is keeping his composure, SHEPARD is obviously
nervous as hell as his eyes dart around continuously.
ENRIGHT
Hey, calm yourself.
SHEPARD
Aren't they advancing?
ENRIGHT
Shepard. Shepard.
SHEPARD finally looks him in the eye.
ENRIGHT
Calm.
SHEPARD
No, but...
ENRIGHT cuts in.
ENRIGHT
Hey, listen, if they are coming, we
will hear it a mile away. Ok? A
hundred men all running in unison
in the dead of night isn't
something one won't notice,
alright?
SHEPARD
I don't want...
ENRIGHT
Hey, listen to me. This is a
marathon, not a sprint, understand?
Slow down. They aren't as stupid
as those who give the orders would
like us to believe. Okay? They
aren't going to run over here
blind.
SHEPARD
But Captain Evans said...
ENRIGHT
Captain Evans is doing his duty.
His duty is to play it safe no
matter what transpires, understand?
SHEPARD is still nervous.
ENRIGHT (CONT'D)
Hey, you remember earlier we were
talking about Stand To, and the
different times of day, remember
that?
SHEPARD
Yeah, yes sir.
ENRIGHT
Okay, you know the reasoning behind
morning Stand To? Stand To before
dawn?
SHEPARD
No, no sir.
ENRIGHT
Because night is the best time for
soldiers to form for an attack.
They attack at dawn then have all
day to push. Now I want you to
answer this: why would they let us
know if they were preparing for an
attack by placing little itty,
bitty lights in full view?
SHEPARD finally calms a little.
Beat.
SHEPARD
I don't know.
ENRIGHT
Exactly, nobody knows. That's
because they wouldn't. Think about
it. Doesn't make sense, right?
Beat as SHEPARD calms himself and considers the logic.
SHEPARD
Well, then what's the point with
Stand To at dusk?
ENRIGHT
Because sometimes, not often, but
sometimes we like to hit each other
right before the sun goes down so
that there is little risk of a
counter-offensive.
Beat.
SHEPARD
That makes sense I suppose.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Well, as much sense as anything can
make in this situation.
SHEPARD nods.
ENRIGHT
Feel better?
SHEPARD
Yes, much, actually. Well, in
reality, no. It just reminds me
that sun-up is only a few hours
away.
SHEPARD takes a deep breath in, then exhales slowly.
ENRIGHT
I never asked you, where do you
call home?
SHEPARD
Just outside Brighton.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Never been there. Is it pleasant?
SHEPARD
I was never that excited with it.
ENRIGHT
Why not?
SHEPARD
It's just...it's hard to explain.
I've spent...I suppose I simply
needed to get away.
ENRIGHT nods. Beat.
SHEPARD
How long have you been doing this?
ENRIGHT
Long enough.
SHEPARD
Lost the love?
ENRIGHT
You'll see.
Beat.
SHEPARD
What if I don't?
ENRIGHT
Well
(beat)
Let me just say it puts things into
a certain perspective. Once you
have this newfound perspective,
then yes you lose the love.
SHEPARD
I'm not sure I understand.
ENRIGHT glances at him.
ENRIGHT
I used to complain to my mother
that I couldn't sleep because of
the creaking of the pantry door.
Between the mortars, the urine, the
rats, and the lice...let's just say
that I won't complain anymore.
SHEPARD
I see.
ENRIGHT
You will.
(beat)
Plus, as far as I know the pantry
door has not yet tried to shoot me.
SHEPARD chuckles.
CPT. EVANS walks on screen and stands behind the two men.
CPT. EVANS
Men, keep your voices down.
SHEPARD
My apologies, sir.
CPT. EVANS
(to ENRIGHT)
Sergeant, what news?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
No news. If there was I'm sure you
would have heard it.
CPT. EVANS shoots him a disapproving glance as SHEPARD is
alerted again. He holds his rifle forcefully against his
shoulder, his eyes widened.
ENRIGHT
(to SHEPARD)
What is it, man?
SHEPARD
I hear something!
CPT. EVANS
(to ENRIGHT)
Who's this?
ENRIGHT
Shepard, the new member.
SHEPARD
Can't you hear it?
ENRIGHT
It's paranoia.
SHEPARD
The hell it is! Listen!
CPT. EVANS
Quiet, the both of you!
CPT. EVANS climbs up onto the fire step and begins listening
out.
A barely audible noise is heard O.S.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
I hear it. Stay silent.
Beat.
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
(to the rhythm of "O Come
All Ye Faithful")
Herbei, o ihr Gläubigen, frölich
triumphiernd, O kommet, O kommet
nach Bethlehem...
The men in the trench cannot believe their ears. They
expected gunfire, what they got were carols. The men still
remain at attention, yet it is obvious that they are
straining to hear what is happening.
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
(continued as before)
Sehet das Kindlein, uns zum Heil
geboren.
CPT. EVANS is still listening in disbelief.
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
(continued as before)
O lasset uns anbeten, O lasset uns
anbeten, O lasset uns anbeten, Den
König.
As CPT. EVANS, ENRIGHT, and SHEPARD continue to listen, the
faint sound of clapping is heard coming O.S. from the German
trench.
SHEPARD
(confused)
Captain?
CPT. EVANS does not acknowledge, rather he continues to
listen.
Beat.
Silence.
CPT. EVANS
It stopped.
ENRIGHT
"It" stopped?
SHEPARD
Captain, what action?
Suddenly...
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie
treu sind deine Blätter! Du grünst
nicht nur zur sommerzeit, Nein auch
im Winter, wenn es schneit. O
Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu
sind deine Blätter!
A small smile and an appearance of tranquility exposes itself
on ENRIGHT's face. It has been a long time coming. Many men
in the trench show the same expression. After months of the
unimaginable, a human element manages to squeeze its way into
war.
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du
kannst mir sehr gefallen! Wie oft
hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein
Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut! O
Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum! Du
kannst mir sehr gefallen.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
It is not long until sunrise. The men cannot sleep. Still
in awe of the events of the night, half of them still remain
on the fire step while the other half remain relaxed against
the trench wall, eyes and ears open. Meanwhile, the German
voices are still being heard...
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Sub singt der Engel Chor Weihnacht.
Und draussen reiselt leis' der
Schnee. Festlich strahlen Kerzen
in allen Herzen. Vergeh'n Kummer
huet' und Weh.
The chorus repeats again and again.
ENRIGHT and SHEPARD are two of the men who are still on
sentry duty. They stand relaxed on the fire step, so relaxed
that a German platoon would probably be able to sneak up on
them.
SHEPARD
I don't know what to make of this.
ENRIGHT shakes his head.
SHEPARD
Can you believe this?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
I don't know.
(beat)
In a way, no. Never in a lifetime
would I have expected something
like this. On the other hand...
SHEPARD interrupts.
SHEPARD
They're human.
ENRIGHT smiles at him.
ENRIGHT
It took me months to come to that
conclusion. You've accomplished it
in less than a week.
Beat.
SHEPARD
I just cannot believe they are
singing.
(beat)
I mean, what are...do they know
what they are doing?
ENRIGHT
I can only assume so. Like I
mentioned before, they are no more
ignorant than you or I.
(beat)
Well, at least you.
SHEPARD smiles.
SHEPARD
I am just wondering what they are
attempting to accomplish.
ENRIGHT
What do you believe?
Beat.
SHEPARD
I don't know, maybe they are just
bored.
ENRIGHT
Or, maybe they just know it's
Christmas.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS paces slowly along the trench floor. He stops to
look briefly up to the sky. Suddenly, the German singing
runs silent. Laughter and clapping can be heard from the
German trench. CPT. EVANS steps quickly onto the fire step
and peers across NO MAN'S LAND.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
The men stop their conversations and concentrate on focusing
on the upcoming carol. Nothing. Faces drop slightly as the
men realize that the essence of humanity that captured the
last 8 hours has stopped suddenly. Silence.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS, looking across the field, portrays a deep feeling
of disappointment. On the one hand, he has enjoyed what has
transpired, on the other hand, this is been one of the most
difficult nights of his command.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
BAGGETT sits quietly on the trench floor with has back up
against the dirt wall. He too misses the humanity. Without
a change in expression, he begins.
BAGGETT
(to himself)
Silent night, holy night. All is
calm, all is bright.
A few men near him join in.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (CONT'D)
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in
heavenly peace.
Many more men join in, while CPT. EVANS peers across NO MAN'S
LAND silently.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (CONT'D)
Silent night, holy night. Shepards
quake, at the sight. Glories
stream from Heaven afar, Heav'nly
hosts sing Alleluia.
By now, most of the trench has begun to sing.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (CONT'D)
Christ the Savior is born. Christ
the Savior is born.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS has had enough.
CPT. EVANS
ENOUGH, GENTLEMEN! Shut up and
keep on alert!
(beat)
The sun will be up soon.
The men unwillingly remain silent, and those on the fire step
automatically increase their readiness.
CPT. EVANS shakes his head.
CPT. EVANS
(to himself)
Bastards.
Beat.
The men still remain silent, slightly disappointed that the
moment has been ruined.
Beat.
Suddenly...
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, alles
shlaft, einsam wacht. Nur das
traute hochheilige paar. Holder
Knabe im lockigen Haar, schlaf in
himmlischer Ruh! Schlaf in
himmlischer Ruh!
As the German singing continues, the men stand again in
disbelief. Those who were sitting on the trench floor have
now stood up on the fire step in an effort to hear as much as
humanly possible.
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Hirten
erst kundgemacht. Durch der Engel
Halleluja, tont es laut von fern
und nah: Christ, der retter ist da!
Christ, der retter ist da!
CPT. EVANS cannot help but listen in awe. Meanwhile, BAGGETT
waits for the Germans to cease, then begins again.
BAGGETT
Silent night, holy night, Son of
God...
More men, even more than before, join in.
VARIOUS SOLDIERS (CONT'D)
...love's pure light. Radiant
beams from Thy holy face, With the
dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus,
Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at
Thy birth.
The men stop abruptly and stand listening across the field.
Beat.
VARIOUS GERMAN SOLDIERS (O.S.)
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht, Gottes
Sohn, o wie lacht. Lieb' aus
deinem gottlichen mund, da uns
schlagt die rettende stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt! Christ,
in deiner Geburt!
The men are ecstatic. Many of them begin to laugh and clap.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAWN
As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, we look down on
NO MAN'S LAND as the men in both the British and German
trenches are heard clapping.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAWN
A view from CPT. EVANS' looking glass reveals what the tiny
lights from the night actually were: tiny Christmas trees.
As the looking glass scans NO MAN'S LAND, we see Christmas
tree after Christmas tree fitted with small candles, many of
which are still burning.
CUT TO:
I/E. THE TRENCH - DAWN
As CPT. EVANS lowers his looking glass, the CAMERA pulls back
and reveals the men performing morning Stand-To. The rifles
rest on the sandbags as the men peer slightly over.
CPT. EVANS continues to scan the horizon with eyes eyes for a
beat, then turns and steps down.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAWN
The low temperature during the night has frosted many areas
of the trench.
After CPT. EVANS' boots hit the mud, he slowly turns and
looks at the men standing at attention.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
A-Company, stand down.
The men slowly step off of the fire step and stand at ease.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
2nd platoon, you have the first
trench maintenance shift this
morning. The sun is not as bright
as yesterday, but visibility is
still quite good so be cautious.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAWN
Having been reminded of the events of yesterday by that
statement, ENRIGHT's face drops as SHEPARD, who is standing
next to him, becomes uncomfortable.
BACK TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAWN
CPT. EVANS continues...
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
1st platoon, that obviously places
you on sentry duty. And, as
always, this will extend until noon
when duties will be switched until
nightfall when everyone will remain
on sentry duty.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS hesitates...
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
(uncomfortable)
Gentlemen...regarding the events of
last night and early this morning.
The men all seem interested in what he is about to say.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
Well. We should not let what may
very well have been a form of
psychological attack change our
attitudes or our motives in any
way.
The faces of the men convey disappointment and confusion in
what has just been said.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
We have one day until showers,
gentlemen. Let us keep our heads
grounded so that we all make it out
of here in one piece and celebrate
Christmas away from danger, yes?
VARIOUS SOLDIERS
(restrained)
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Thank you, gentlemen.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
The always crowded trench is busy, yet there seems to be a
more relaxed tone than the previous day. In the middle of
the crowd, we see ENRIGHT squeezing his way past man after
man.
CUT TO:
INT. CPT. EVANS' DUGOUT - DAY
While CPT. EVANS is busy cleaning his makeshift home, ENRIGHT
walks in and stands at ease after he places his rifle against
the wall.
ENRIGHT
Captain, you wished to see me?
CPT. EVANS looks up at him briefly then continues cleaning.
CPT. EVANS
Yeah, Tom. Feel free to take a
seat.
ENRIGHT
I'm alright standing, Robert.
CPT. EVANS
Well, suit yourself.
CPT. EVANS gives up on the upkeep and slowly takes a seat at
his desk while ENRIGHT leans against the wall.
CPT. EVANS
Okay, about yesterday.
ENRIGHT thinks he knows where this is going.
ENRIGHT
Hey, Robert, it was just a
difference of opinion. Our
thoughts and feelings are just
that...our own.
CPT. EVANS does not reply, rather he hands him a neatly
folded piece of paper off of his desk. ENRIGHT takes the
paper and reads it.
CPT. EVANS
Apparently, this was not an
isolated incident. So what may
have began as a friendly difference
of opinion has now transpired into
an official policy.
ENRIGHT finishes reading it and shakes his head as he hands
it back to CPT. EVANS.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
What? I thought it was very self
explanatory.
CPT. EVANS raises the paper and begins to read it aloud.
CPT. EVANS
The Corps Commander, therefore,
directs Divisional Commanders to
impress on all subordinate
commanders the absolute necessity
of encouraging the offensive spirit
of the troops, while on the
defensive, by every means in their
power.
(beat)
Friendly intercourse with the enemy
is absolutely prohibited.
(beat)
General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien,
commander of the British Corps.
ENRIGHT
So?
CPT. EVANS
So, in compliance with a direct
order along with the policy
reinforcement you have just read,
the commanding officer, who
replaces me after midnight while we
head back to civilization, will
lead an advancement tomorrow
morning the cover of our mortars
and aircraft.
ENRIGHT is flabbergasted.
ENRIGHT
What time tomorrow morning?
CPT. EVANS
Well, that is really none of your
concern considering you wont be
here.
ENRIGHT
(quickly)
Breakfast Truce?
CPT. EVANS
That's right.
ENRIGHT
Whose direct order?
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
(dryly)
Mine. Due to my vast amounts of
experience in the trenches, I have
been ordered by Major Crossland to
devise and impliment an assault
that, if successful, would perhaps
allow us to finally blast through
this bloody hold we are in.
ENRIGHT looks at him in disdain.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
Lieutenant Kennedy will lead this
advancement in the precise manner
that I have detail for him, weather
permitting of course.
ENRIGHT cannot believe what he is hearing.
ENRIGHT
So, so what, I mean...you are going
to attack when they assume...when
they KNOW that during this time we
would not?
CPT. EVANS
Breakfast Truce was never an
official standard, Tom.
ENRIGHT
We have been holding our fire
during breakfast for almost as long
as we have been here, Robert!
CPT. EVANS
You said not twenty-four hours ago
that they know as well as we do
that it is a crock of shit anyhow.
Why not be the first to prove it?
ENRIGHT
tomorrow is fucking Christmas,
Robert.
CPT. EVANS
tomorrow is Friday, Tom.
ENRIGHT
It's Christmas!
CPT. EVANS
(calmly)
It's war.
(beat)
We don't want to portray ourselves
as an obstacle the Germans should
take lightly.
ENRIGHT
What about a human being? Do you
want to portray yourself as one of
those?
CPT. EVANS
How do you know that at this very
moment Fritz is not planning the
exact same strategy?
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
You will be off the line by
tomorrow morning, Tom. It is none
of your concern.
ENRIGHT
I'll still be a human being
tomorrow.
ENRIGHT turns and walks towards the exit, picking up his
rifle as he heads out the door.
VOICE (O.S.)
(barely audible)
Merry Christmas!
CPT. EVANS
Merry Christmas to you too, Tom.
ENRIGHT stops and turns back quickly. He is done talking.
ENRIGHT
What?
CPT. EVANS
You said Merry Christmas, so I
replied by saying Merry Christmas,
Tom.
ENRIGHT is frustrated. He wants nothing more than to get
CPT. EVANS out of his sight.
ENRIGHT
What? I didn't say anything to
you.
VOICE (O.S.)
(a little clearer)
Merry Christmas!
ENRIGHT turns towards the trench wall and CPT. EVANS jumps
out of his seat just as SHEPARD comes running into view.
SHEPARD
(anxious)
Sir, Captain, I spotted...sir, we
need you this minute.
They all dash out of the dugout.
CUT TO:
I/E. THE TRENCH - DAY
The three men quickly jump up on the fire step and peer over
the paraphet. SHEPARD and ENRIGHT make ready with their
weapons as CPT. EVANS scans the horizon.
VOICE (O.S.)
Hello? Merry Christmas! Schießen
sie nicht! Schießen sie nicht!
ENRIGHT and SHEPARD slowly raise their heads above their
weapons.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
Three German soldiers are walking normally towards the
British trench as if they had no idea there was a war going
on. Two of the Germans, in standard grey uniforms, walk
empty handed waving their arms in the air, while the third is
holding a small Christmas tree high in the air as he
shouts...
GERMAN SOLDIER
Merry Christmas! Schießen sie
nicht.
BACK TO:
I/E. THE TRENCH - DAY
The men stand yet again in disbelief. They look at each
other in amazement while attempting to comprehend what is
happening. This is going against every facet that has ever
been told to them since the day the war began.
A small smile naturally appears on CPT. EVANS' face, however
he quickly subdues it.
CPT. EVANS
STAND TO MEN! MAKE READY! PREPARE
TO FIRE!
Confused, the men all resume their attacking positions.
BACK TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
The German soldiers noticed the hostile action, and naturally
take a quick step back. They then remove their helmets.
GERMAN SOLDIER
Nein! Nein! No! Schießen sie
nicht. Nein! No shoot! Schießen
sie nicht.
BACK TO:
I/E. THE TRENCH - DAY
CPT. EVANS
God damnit, what the hell are they
saying?
SHEPARD
Don't shoot. Don't shoot.
Both ENRIGHT and CPT. EVANS look at SHEPARD seeing as how
they had no idea he understood German.
CPT. EVANS
You speak it?
SHEPARD
Yes sir, fairly well, sir.
CPT. EVANS
Alright, I want you to tell them to
stop moving right now.
SHEPARD
(shouting)
Hören auf zu bewegen!
CPT. EVANS
Tell them to stop moving or we'll
shoot.
SHEPARD
(shouting)
Hören auf zu bewegen oder wir
werden schießen!
BACK TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
The German soldiers stop abruptly. They are located no
further than fifteen yards from the edge of the British
trench.
GERMAN SOLDIER
Schicken Sie Offizier aus bitte.
Wir wollen Frieden für Weihnachten!
BACK TO:
I/E. THE TRENCH - DAY
CPT. EVANS
What the hell was that?
SHEPARD
Sir, he said he, they want an
officer to talk to them.
CPT. EVANS
Do they think I'm stupid? What the
bloody hell for?
Beat.
GERMAN SOLDIER (O.S.)
Schicken Sie Offizier aus bitte.
Wir wollen Frieden für Weihnachten!
Beat.
SHEPARD
For Christmas, sir.
Upon hearing this, ENRIGHT turns his head and stares strongly
at CPT. EVANS, who notices this and in return stares back at
him. The look in his eyes conveys that CPT. EVANS is
debating this quite extensively.
GERMAN SOLDIER (O.S.)
Wir haben keine Waffen!
Without breaking his gaze at ENRIGHT...
CPT. EVANS
Shepard?
SHEPARD
He said they have no weapons, sir.
GERMAN SOLDIER (O.S.)
Mein Leben ist in Ihren Händen.
Beat.
SHEPARD
My life is in your hands.
GERMAN SOLDIER (O.S.)
Bitte!
Beat.
SHEPARD
Please.
ENRIGHT gives CPT. EVANS a very slight nod. CPT. EVANS
removes his Webley Mk IV revolver from his belt and holds it
tightly in his right close to his face for a beat.
CPT. EVANS
(flustered)
Ok, um...Shepard, I want...take
your weapon, and I want you to come
with me.
SHEPARD
(nervous)
Sir?
CPT. EVANS
I need your assistance, there is no
point in me going out there if I
have no idea what they are saying.
SHEPARD
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
(to the men in his
vicinity)
You men, excercise common sense.
Remember, this is just like
intercepting a patrol. Don't fire
unless you have to, or else the
German trench will return fire,
yes?
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
(places his hand on
SHEPARD's shoulder)
If you see this man or I fall,
consider that as the order to open
fire.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
Understood?
VARIOUS SOLDIERS
Yes, sir!
CPT. EVANS
(tapping SHEPARD on the
shoulder)
Go, son.
SHEPARD quickly climbed over the paraphet. CPT. EVANS looks
at ENRIGHT again for a quick beat before he himself pushes
himself up out of the trench.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
From the edge of the British trench, we see CPT. EVANS
walking slowly with his revolver pointed at the ground just
below the feet of the German soldiers. Next to him walks
SHEPARD, who presses the butt of his rifle up against his
shoulder as if he is ready to fire at a seconds notice.
The German soldiers all stand close to one another with their
hands raised slightly in the air. They hide their heads
slightly behind their raised arms, obviously scared to death
that they are about to be executed. As CPT. EVANS and
SHEPARD finally approach the group, we can see CPT. EVANS
talking, yet the words are inaudible. He occasionally
motions back towards the trench, sometimes pointing down
towards the German trench. Once CPT. EVANS finishes talking,
the GERMAN SOLDIER holding the Christmas tree replies.
SHEPARD translates as the words exit the GERMAN SOLDIER's
mouth.
BACK TO:
I/E. THE TRENCH - DAY
The men, confused and nervous, watch what is happening with
their fingers on their respective triggers.
BACK TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DAY
The GERMAN SOLDIER finishes speaking, with SHEPARD trailing
him by a few words. As SHEPARD finishes his translation, the
GERMAN SOLDIER slowly extends his hand which holds the
miniature Christmas tree. CPT. EVANS hesistates briefly,
then slowly switches his revolver to his left hand and accept
the offering with his right. Although we still cannot hear
them, we can see a smile appear on SHEPARD's face. He slowly
lowers his rifle.
As the same time, the GERMAN SOLDIER reaches into his breast
pocket, removes a pack of cigarettes, and extends it towards
the two men in offering. Both SHEPARD and CPT. EVANS take a
cigarette from the pack as the GERMAN SOLDIER removes a book
of matches from the same breast pocket. He then lights CPT.
EVANS' cigarette before moving on to SHEPARD's.
Both SHEPARD and CPT. EVANS nod in recognition to the GERMAN
SOLDIER before turning and walking back towards the trench.
At this time, the GERMAN SOLDIER whistles loudly and waves
his helmet in the air while looking down towards the German
trench. Just as CPT. EVANS and SHEPARD walk back into the
trench, we see dozens upon dozens of German soldiers slowly
climbing out of their trench and walking towards the British
trench.
CUT TO:
INT. THE TRENCH - DAY
SHEPARD jumps down into the trench first before extending his
hand to help CPT. EVANS in. Both of them are smoking German
cigarettes and CPT. EVANS still carries a small Christmas
tree.
Seemingly at a loss for words, CPT. EVANS makes a few random
movements before handing the tree to ENRIGHT.
CPT. EVANS
Here.
CPT. EVANS then climbs onto the fire step.
CPT. EVANS
Men...stand down.
The men all jump onto the trench floor and huddle as close to
CPT. EVANS as possible.
CPT. EVANS
(still flabbergasted)
Okay, umm.
(beat)
Gentlemen...well, there seems to be
no way to dance around the issue.
(beat)
I, um...there has been an
agreement, between myself and the
ranking officer of the German
company. Seeing as how it is
Christmas Eve, we...
(beat)
...well, we have agreed to hold an
unofficial armistice in the spirit
of the holiday.
The men are rightfully shocked.
CPT. EVANS
They...well, he tells me that they
will have no soldiers standing
guard in their trench for the
remainder of today. Now, obviously
I don't know if this is true, so we
shall have half of first platoon
remain stationary here, in the
trench, and they will be rotated
out within an hour or two with half
of second platoon.
FERGUSON
Sir?
CPT. EVANS
Yes, Corporal.
FERGUSON
Sir, you say half of first will
stay here, so where will everyone
else be?
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
Well, the Germans have offered to
help us bury our fallen, and I
imagine that we will offer the
same.
(beat)
And after that, I, well, honestly I
really don't know. What I DO know
is that we will have men standing
guard on our end no matter what
happens.
(beat)
Perhaps we...
CPT. EVANS looks as if he has something more substantial to
say, yet he eventually ends with...
CPT. EVANS
Keep alert. Thank you gentlemen.
CPT. EVANS quickly climbs out of the trench. The men remain
stationary, looking as if they are unsure whether or not this
is all a hoax.
SHEPARD slings his rifle over his shoulder and climbs out of
the trench. ENRIGHT looks around at the men.
ENRIGHT
Alright.
He then follows SHEPARD. Gradually, the men climb onto the
fire step. The CAMERA slowly drifts up as the men are
climbing out of the trench, only to reveal what must be one
hundred German soldiers standing no further than fifteen
yards away from the British trench. Many seem rightfully
nervous. Some have their hands in their pockets, while
others are conversing with their peers. The British men, led
by ENRIGHT, SHEPARD, and CPT. EVANS slowly talk towards the
croud of Germans. They pause a few feet away and stand still
for a beat.
SHEPARD then breaks the mold by extending his arm towards
JONAS, an older and seemingly wiser German soldier. JONAS
removes the cigarette from his mouth and takes SHEPARD's
hand.
SHEPARD
Aaron.
JONAS
(with a heavy accent)
Aaron?
SHEPARD
Aaron.
JONAS
Aaron.
(he puts his hand on his
chest)
Jonas. Nett, Sie zu treffen.
SHEPARD smiles.
SHEPARD
Nice to meet you as well.
Taking their example, the soldiers from both sides (many of
them very apprehensive) begin shaking their hands and
introducing themselves to one another as we...
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - AFTERNOON
As the weak sun barely slips through the clouds, dozens of
pairs of men are picking up and relocating corpses to pre-dug
holes all across the field. Each pair is comprised of one
German and one Brit. They do not discriminate against who
they bury next. Although the mood is depressing given the
task at hand, many of the pairs are engrossed in
conversation.
SHEPARD and CPT. EVANS have been teamed with NIKLAS, a man
about the same age and stature as CPT. EVANS. They walk
together seemingly towards the nearest corpse. They walk
slowly, obviously not in a hurry to get there. We have cut
in during the middle of their conversation. Although NIKLAS
speaks english, it is often broken and disguised by a
relatively thick accent, so he often speaks with his hands in
order to get his point across. CPT. EVANS does his best to
hide how uncomfortable he is with the entire situation.
SHEPARD, on the other hand, seems totally comfortable.
NIKLAS
She is almost near six months now.
She actually was born the same date
as my mother.
SHEPARD
That so?
NIKLAS
Oh yes, I can only hope that she
does not turn out like her, yes?
CPT. EVANS flashes a courteous smile.
NIKLAS (CONT'D)
That would be most unfortunate.
(beat)
Well, I say that I hope for that
and also that I can see her again.
NIKLAS smiles, apparently trying to break the tension.
SHEPARD
I can tell that you miss her.
NIKLAS
Yes, although I haven't not seen
her since August of course.
SHEPARD
Ah, yes.
NIKLAS
I did spend on taking much time for
her and my wife of course, but
apparently God did not agree.
NIKLAS chuckles.
CPT. EVANS
It seems that way.
NIKLAS
She is beautiful, just like her
mother.
SHEPARD
I'm certain that she is.
NIKLAS
Oh, yes.
(beat - to SHEPARD)
You look too young to be here, much
less have children.
SHEPARD
Me? Oh Christ, I am entirely too
young to have children.
NIKLAS laughs.
NIKLAS
(to CPT. EVANS)
Do you have children, sir?
CPT. EVANS looks at him with a certain hint of disdain.
CPT. EVANS
Yes.
Beat.
Sensing the tension, SHEPARD breaks in.
SHEPARD
Is she your only?
NIKLAS
As of now, yes. Wait, you mean my
daughter or her mother?
SHEPARD smiles.
SHEPARD
Your daughter.
NIKLAS
Ah yes, my only. I will go into
the topic of the other women in my
life later.
NIKLAS laughs while CPT. EVANS shakes his head slightly.
Beat.
SHEPARD begins scratching his head.
NIKLAS
What is wrong there?
SHEPARD
Bloody lice.
NIKLAS
Lice?
SHEPARD
Yeah, um, läuse...you know, the
little critters in the hair?
NIKLAS
Oh, yes of course. It is
refreshing to know that you suffer
from them too.
CPT. EVANS
(to himself)
I'm sure it is.
NIKLAS (CONT'D)
Yes, you need to pour drink,
um...alchohol.
SHEPARD
Alchohol?
NIKLAS
Yes, pour the alchohol in your hair
then rinse it out with hot water.
SHEPARD
Alchohol with hot water?
NIKLAS
Yes friend, definately.
SHEPARD
That works?
NIKLAS
Definately, all the time we use.
SHEPARD
I will try it then. Thank you.
NIKLAS
No my friend, it is no problem.
After walking a few more yards, they come upon a German
soldier lying dead with his face down. He has obviously been
there a while. The blood stains on the back of his coat are
dry and flakey.
NIKLAS
Another one of our men it seems.
CPT. EVANS doesn't reply, rather he glances at NIKLAS. Not
much to say in such a situation.
The men slowly bend their knees and take hold of the corpse,
SHEPARD by his legs and NIKLAS by his arms. They raise him
only an inch or two until NIKLAS quickly sets his side down.
NIKLAS
Oh, wait.
SHEPARD
Something the matter?
NIKLAS carefully rolls the corpse over onto his back. He
immediately recognizes his face and begins to break down
while doing his best to restrain himself. SHEPARD, realizing
what has happened, kneels next to NIKLAS and places his hand
on his head. CPT. EVANS, on the other hand, simply stands
and watches.
NIKLAS
(sobbing)
I'm sorry, this is silly I know.
SHEPARD
No, no, no, not at all.
He looks up quickly at CPT. EVANS. He lets out a quick laugh
as he sobs, amused at how silly his crying may seem to the
enemy.
NIKLAS
I was never naive enough to think
he may just show back up, but...
He breaks down again.
CPT. EVANS, still standing quietly, looks to his sides as if
to see if anybody is watching. He looks frustrated, as if he
does not have time for such things. As NIKLAS continues to
weep, however, CPT. EVANS' mood slowly changes. His eyes
become saddened. After a long beat, he kneels down on the
other side of NIKLAS. He does not physically console him,
rather he simply stares down at the broken and mangled
corpse.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - AFTERNOON
The field, now completely free of corpses, is restless with
activity. In some areas, Germans and Brits sit and chat. In
others, there are small fires. The two sides are sharing
cigarettes, cigars, chocolate, food, and even showing off the
different styles of weapons they use.
One of these groups consists of ENRIGHT and LEON, an older,
seemingly wiser German soldier. Each deep wrinkle in his
face reflects the immense amount of experiences he has
endured. He speaks surprisingly good English with a fairly
thick accent.
The two sit on the wet grass as LEON holds and examines
ENRIGHT's Lee-Enfield rifle. LEON's weapon is nowhere to be
found.
ENRIGHT
Other than that, it serves fairly
well.
LEON
Yes, it seems so, on our end at
least.
They both chuckle.
ENRIGHT
Yeah, two different points of view
it seems. I would tell you to go
ahead and shoot it if I wasn't
afraid it would draw the wrong kind
of attention over here.
LEON
Most definately. This reminds me
much of the rifle my Lukas and I
use to hunt rabbits.
ENRIGHT
I'm not surprised, from what I have
seen this action seems popular.
Your boy Lukas, is he any good?
LEON
Oh yes, very good indeed. He has
his father's eye.
ENRIGHT
His modesty, too?
LEON is amused.
LEON
Watch it now my friend. There is
nothing wrong in recognizing and
taking pride in your strengths.
ENRIGHT
No, not at all.
LEON sets the rifle down next to ENRIGHT, leans back with his
hands behind him, and relaxes. He takes a deep breath.
LEON
This is surprisingly pleasant.
ENRIGHT
Yeah, it certainly is.
LEON takes a pack of smokes out of his pocket and extends it
towards ENRIGHT.
ENRIGHT
No, no thank you.
LEON
(jokingly)
It is rude to not accept. What
happened to the gentleman warriors
of Britain.
ENRIGHT
Hey, you're the enemy, remember? I
have no problem being rude to you.
They both are amused.
LEON
Speaking of which, where is your,
um...your voice.
ENRIGHT
My, what? My voice?
LEON
Yes, yes you know.
(he motions towards his
mouth)
Your, um, speaking.
ENRIGHT shrugs.
LEON
(in a dreadfully cliche
British accent)
Hello, my name is Johnny England.
ENRIGHT
Oh, you mean my accent?
LEON
Yes!
ENRIGHT
My British accent.
LEON
Yes, exactly, I apologize.
ENRIGHT
Oh, no, no, it doesn't offend me.
I, um, well I was born in
Shrewsbury, and...
LEON interrupts.
LEON
Shrewsbury?
ENRIGHT
Shrewsbury, yes.
LEON
My sister and her new husband live
just outside Shrewsbury!
ENRIGHT
(shocked)
Are you serious?
LEON
No, yes I am total serious! Her
name is Vanessa and she works in
cafe outside of Shrewsbury.
ENRIGHT
Really?
LEON
Yes, Longsight Cafe. She works
there.
ENRIGHT
Christ, that...that...
(his mood becomes more
serious)
...that's great.
LEON
Now I am the one being rude, I
interrupted you.
ENRIGHT
(takes him a minute to
remember)
What? Oh, yeah, wait...
LEON
You said you were born...
ENRIGHT
Oh yes, I was born in Shrewsbury,
and my parents and I went to live
in America.
LEON
America? Wait, I'm sorry I'm being
rude again.
ENRIGHT
No, think nothing of it.
LEON
Please, go on.
ENRIGHT
Well, we went to live in America
when I was a child, and my father
died, so my mother and I moved
back. But, yeah, that was...I
spent almost thirteen years of my
life in America, so to answer your
original question, this is my
accent.
LEON
Ah, I see. How is America?
ENRIGHT thinks for a beat. He is unable to come up with any
answer other than...
ENRIGHT
Different.
LEON
I'm sorry to hear about your
father.
ENRIGHT
Oh, thank you.
LEON
How did he die?
Beat.
ENRIGHT shrugs his shoulders.
ENRIGHT
He just did.
LEON
I'm sorry.
ENRIGHT
And, yeah, that is when we moved
back to England.
A long beat as the two men get more comfortable. Eventually,
LEON leans forward.
LEON
I feel like I should tell you
something.
ENRIGHT leans slightly forward as well.
LEON (CONT'D)
This was not a spur of the moment
idea. Not for us, at least.
ENRIGHT
Really?
LEON
Oh, Lord no. Many of us had talked
of this for almost two weeks.
ENRIGHT
(shocked)
What was said?
LEON
Well we were obviously very
apprehensive given the nature of
the British soldiers, what we had
heard, and also...
ENRIGHT cuts in.
ENRIGHT
Wait, wait, wait...what you heard?
LEON
(uncomfortable)
Yes, well what we had heard about
how the British troops were all
heartless, backstabbing menaces.
Gentlemen Barbarians is what our
papers would call you.
ENRIGHT leans back in disbelief.
LEON
I must say that I am glad that the
will of good men has prevailed here
today.
ENRIGHT
(with his mind still on
what was said)
Yeah, yeah me too.
LEON
Who knows, perhaps this will last
indefinately, yes? I can go see my
boy and sleep next to my wife
instead of next to Maxamillian.
(he chuckles)
And you can go take care of your
mother and we can all be happy,
yes?
ENRIGHT's mind is still preoccupied. A beat passes before
ENRIGHT looks up at the sun.
ENRIGHT
Forgive me, Leon, but I need to go.
He slowly gets on his feet.
LEON
Go, where?
ENRIGHT
(hesitant)
It's, well, I have sentry duty.
LEON's face sinks into sadness.
LEON
I see.
LEON now rises to him.
ENRIGHT
Believe me, I see no point, but you
can understand that I have my
orders.
LEON extends his hand and ENRIGHT grabs it.
LEON
Remember, today should be a lesson
that not all orders are worth being
followed.
ENRIGHT pauses.
LEON
I see you later, yes?
ENRIGHT
Yes, of course, I'll be sure to
find you in a few hours.
LEON
Please do.
LEON turns and walks off screen. ENRIGHT stands there
thinking for a beat before turning and walking off screen.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. CPT. EVANS' DUGOUT - AFTERNOON
CPT. EVANS sits silently at his desk staring straight ahead.
Obviously a lot on his mind, he stares into the wall as if it
was showing him something meaningful.
ENRIGHT walks in and stands just inside the entrance.
ENRIGHT
(cautiously)
Robert?
CPT. EVANS' stare does not break from the wall until a beat
passes. Even then, he only glances at ENRIGHT and says...
CPT. EVANS
You're on sentry duty, Tom.
...before turning back to the wall.
ENRIGHT looks to the ground disappointed before he starts out
of the dugout.
CPT. EVANS
Have you met Niklas?
ENRIGHT stops and turns back.
ENRIGHT
Niklas?
CPT. EVANS finally breaks his stare from the wall and turns
towards his old friend.
CPT. EVANS
Niklas, younger chap. Tall, larger
build.
ENRIGHT
(trying to remember)
You know, Robert, I don't recall,
I'm bad with names and there's
obviously been a lot of them today.
I'm sure that Shepard has mentioned
his name, though.
CPT. EVANS nods.
ENRIGHT (CONT'D)
Why?
CPT. EVANS shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Robert, this may seem too
sentimental coming from me, but
many of us appreciated what you
have done today.
CPT. EVANS
What do you mean?
ENRIGHT simply looks at him.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
Many of us, especially myself, were
glad to see you on the field.
CPT. EVANS
No Man's Land?
ENRIGHT
Well, yes. The term didn't seem
appropriate.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
Don't think me special, Tom. It
seems this has happened all
throughout Europe.
ENRIGHT
What has?
CPT. EVANS
This. The armistace.
ENRIGHT is pleasantly surprised.
CPT. EVANS
And, from what I have been told,
most instances started like they
have today, with the German's
taking the first step.
ENRIGHT walks further into the dugout and leans up against a
wall near CPT. EVANS.
ENRIGHT
You know, I was told of a German
newspaper today that sounds much
like the ones we receive.
CPT. EVANS
How so?
ENRIGHT
We were called barbarians.
CPT. EVANS
(surprised)
Us?
ENRIGHT nods.
ENRIGHT
Gentleman barbarians, but
barbarians nonetheless.
CPT. EVANS
Well, why? That makes no sense!
ENRIGHT
It doesn't, does it?
(beat)
At least they threw the "gentlemen"
part in there, so it's not all bad.
CPT. EVANS sees his point.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
Anyway, like I was saying, I have
heard of both British and French
armistaces with the Germans. North
in Nieuwpoort there is a forty
kilometer stretch of peace and
prosperity happening now, as we
speak.
ENRIGHT
What has been happening?
CPT. EVANS
Not unlike here. Burials, cooking,
and I have even heard of a football
match that was played this morning
near Zeldegem.
ENRIGHT
A football match?
CPT. EVANS
Yes, believe it or not. Apparently
the Germans won 3 to 2.
ENRIGHT shakes his head in amusement.
ENRIGHT
I don't believe it.
CPT. EVANS
Me neither. In fact, I hear that
the last goal should not have
counted.
ENRIGHT
What?
CPT. EVANS
The German was offside.
ENRIGHT
Oh, no, that's not what I meant.
CPT. EVANS
No, I know what you meant. Coming
from you of all people, that
surprises me.
ENRIGHT
That's what I'm here for.
A long beat. ENRIGHT begins walking towards the exit.
CPT. EVANS
Tom?
ENRIGHT turns.
CPT. EVANS
I have been told of a small dinner
planned after sunset in the German
trench. I would like it if you
would join me.
ENRIGHT
Well, I would love to but I'm...
CPT. EVANS cuts in.
CPT. EVANS
Don't worry about your shift. I
don't see how a few less soldiers
on the line will make a difference.
ENRIGHT cracks a small smile.
ENRIGHT
Yes, sir.
CPT. EVANS
I'll notify you.
ENRIGHT turns and heads out of the dugout. CPT. EVANS,
meanwhile, turns back to his desk.
He breifly looks over some of the paper cluttered on his desk
before he leans his head against his right hand as his face
slowly drops. He begins to cry.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - AFTERNOON
The sun has broken through the clouds casting light and
warmth onto NO MAN'S LAND as we see hundreds of German and
British soldiers co-mingling. There is laughing, running,
and games being played. Men are wagering cigarettes,
chocolate, and food on card games. On each and every face
there is a general sense of merriment and satisfaction. This
could never be mistaken for a battlefield.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - DUSK
The dull, orange sun begins to set behind the clouds. As we
look down on NO MAN'S LAND, there are numerous fires already
burning, both on the field and within the trenches.
Walking across the field are ENRIGHT, CPT. EVANS, and
SHEPARD. CPT. EVANS has his revolver strapped to his belt,
but other than that they do not carry weapons. Off screen we
can hear German and British fraternization. The three men
walk past rows of barbed wire (that have been pushed aside),
around piles of sandbags (which have been stacked out of the
way), and up to the German trench. Along the edge of the
trench are numerous machine gun positions. The three men
take priority in studying them in awe. At first they think,
"Why don't we have machine guns?" That thought is followed
by the inevitable, "Hey, they shot at us with these."
SHEPARD
Jesus.
LEON (O.S.)
Aye, Jimmys!
The men are alerted and look in the trench below. LEON sits
near a fire with various German and British soldiers.
SHEPARD
(to ENRIGHT)
Jimmys?
ENRIGHT
We call the Germans Fritz. They
call us Jimmy.
SHEPARD gets it.
The three men have a seat on the edge of...
I/E. THE GERMAN TRENCH - SUNSET
CPT. EVANS, ENRIGHT, and SHEPARD sit on the edge of the
trench with their legs dangling over the side. Naturally,
they take a moment to scan the previously unseen trench that
has been the staging point for every attempt on their lives.
Although it is very crowded, the trench seems bigger and
neater than the British trench they are used to.
LEON
Tom, Tom, Tom.
LEON gets to his feet and shakes hands with ENRIGHT
LEON (CONT'D)
I'm glad you are here. Very glad.
ENRIGHT
Oh, thank you.
(pointing to SHEPARD)
Leon, meet Aaron.
SHEPARD and LEON shake hands.
SHEPARD
It's an honor, sir.
LEON
I'm glad to meet you, young man.
ENRIGHT
(touching CPT. EVANS on
the shoulder)
This is Evans, Robert Evans.
LEON extends his hand.
CPT. EVANS
Captain Evans.
LEON is taken aback and shows the respect that he thinks CPT.
EVANS desires.
CPT. EVANS
Sir, it is my pleasure.
CPT. EVANS merely smiles as they shake hands.
A lightbulb in LEON's head turns on.
LEON
AH!
He turns and digs into his knapsack. After a beat, he takes
out four large, robust cigars.
LEON
Perfekt!
LEON quickly hands each of the three men a cigar. They all
accept.
CPT. EVANS takes a big whiff of it, looks at LEON, then
smiles.
CPT. EVANS
Thank you.
LEON
No, no sir, my pleasure.
SHEPARD leans close to ENRIGHT.
SHEPARD
I thought you didn't smoke.
ENRIGHT looks at him as if he is crazy.
ENRIGHT
Maybe it's me, but I believe this
to be a worthy exception.
The two men tap their cigars together prior to shoving them
in their mouths.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT
There is a full moon tonight. They glow has pierced the
clouds and shines down onto the field. Hundreds of small
fires burn as far as the eye can see, all of them surrounded
by men in mixed uniforms.
CUT TO:
INT. THE GERMAN TRENCH - NIGHT
CPT. EVANS and SHEPARD have made new friends. They sit as a
part of a large circle of mainly German soldiers on the
trench floor. Surprisingly, CPT. EVANS appears to be having
a blast. The stub of the cigar still in his mouth, we see
him laughing heartily at a joke that was just told.
ENRIGHT, on the other hand, sits in a quite little corner
with LEON. On the floor next to LEON lies a large German
overcoat.
ENRIGHT's POV
A picture of a middle-aged woman, attractive in a bland sort
of way.
ENRIGHT
She's beautiful.
LEON
She is. Very beautiful.
ENRIGHT
Amazing.
He hands the photo back to LEON, who looks at is briefly
before pressing it inbetween both his hands.
ENRIGHT (CONT'D)
She misses you, I bet.
LEON
I hope so, I would not know for
sure.
ENRIGHT
Why is that?
Beat.
LEON
Ah, I tell her not to write.
ENRIGHT
(surprised)
You don't communicate?
LEON
Oh, my friend I write her numerous
letters a day.
ENRIGHT
Yeah?
LEON
Especially these days, when...well,
it has been, how shall I say,
unexciting, right?
ENRIGHT chuckles.
ENRIGHT
Yeah, I guess you could phrase it
like that.
(beat)
Why don't you want her to write.
An emotional beat.
LEON
Many of my friends here feel
determination and inspiration when
they receive letters from loved
ones.
(beat)
Me, it makes me sad.
ENRIGHT
I think that's natural.
LEON
Oh, I think that every man is
saddened in a way when he receives
a letter from home, but I think
there are differences on how you
handle this sadness.
(beat)
I get distracted. Distraction is
something I do not need while I'm
here. I think it will increase my
chances of not having the chance to
see her again.
LEON is getting choked up.
LEON (CONT'D)
And I cannot have that.
ENRIGHT knows nothing he says can make LEON feel better, so
he quietly listens. LEON wipes his eyes.
LEON
(in a lighter tone)
I am thinking it is harder for her,
mainly because when I am around she
talks forever. And with me gone
she has nobody to bother.
ENRIGHT flashes a polite smile.
LEON
I can only wonder what she would
have to say about what is happening
here, now.
ENRIGHT
What do you think she would say?
Beat.
LEON
I think she would sayyyy....
(pause)
She told me once that the reason we
go to war is to obtain peace. I
believe she would think that what
has happened here today is proof of
that.
ENRIGHT
I can't disagree with that.
LEON
Realistically though, I know that
in my mind I should be very wary of
what is happening now, because who
knows what tomorrow will bring,
right?
Shit. ENRIGHT is reminded of the impending attack. His
heart drops, bringing his face along with it.
LEON (CONT'D)
Or the day after, no?
A beat. ENRIGHT finally looks up and simply nods.
LEON
What do you think?
ENRIGHT
I'm sorry?
LEON
I said, what do you think? About
this?
A long beat.
ENRIGHT
I think every man, every nation
wants peace.
(beat)
I think that the days ahead will
prove whether or not we want it
enough.
ENRIGHT turns and looks at CPT. EVANS, who does not notice at
first. Feeling the glare, he eventually turns and looks
back, a smile still on his face from the conversation he was
having. They two men stare at each other for a short beat.
The smile on his face slowly disappears before he turns back
to his circle.
LEON noticed the looks between the two.
LEON
(referring to CPT. EVANS)
He is a good man?
Beat.
ENRIGHT
He's a good soldier.
(beat)
I've known him for a long time.
LEON
Have you always been stationed
together?
ENRIGHT
Oh, no....no well, yes for the most
part, but we also knew each other
long before...everything.
LEON
Really?
ENRIGHT
Yeah, he was....is...a family
friend.
LEON
Oh?
ENRIGHT
Yeah, he's a...he's a good man.
ENRIGHT looks back at him again. CPT. EVANS is immersed in
an obviously amusing conversation.
LEON
He seems to be very special to you.
LEON opens the palms of his hands to again reveal the photo
of his wife. He looks at it quietly before kissing it.
LEON
I don't know what I would do if I
lost this.
He leans over towards his overcoat.
LEON (CONT'D)
Which is why I always make sure to
keep it close to my heart.
ENRIGHT
No better place, right?
LEON
No.
LEON reaches his coat and begins to pull it closer. At first
it seems stuck on whatever lies below it, so he gives it
another slight tug. The coat slides towards him, revealing a
brown Mauser rifle with a fitted optical sight attached to
it. The rifle has been laid on top of an earth-colored coat
with various types of foliage attached to it.
As LEON is placing the photo in the breast pocket of the
coat, ENRIGHT looks up to him. Son of a bitch! He's the
bastard who shot TILLEY! ENRIGHT glances back at the gun and
again at LEON, still working on setting the photo safely
inside the coat. In a heartbeat, ENRIGHT is up and out of
the trench. LEON, startled, looks up in confusion. He does
not bother to stand. He looks over to CPT. EVANS, who is
already looking at the point where ENRIGHT climbed out of the
trench. CPT. EVANS glances at LEON, and without a word he
slowly stands and exits the trench as well. LEON is
disappointed in a confused type of way. He can't figure out
what has happened.
CUT TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT
Many of the fires have burned out, and the men surrounding
them have retired into the trenches. A few sporadic fires
provide ample illumination of the field. Chatting and
laughter from the German trench fill the air.
CPT. EVANS is walking towards the direction of the British
trench in an attempt to locate ENRIGHT, still confused about
what has transpired. He realizes, however, that there is a
sense of urgency behind what is happening.
CPT. EVANS' POV
A small fire with half a dozen men still burns closely to
him, however as he looks around there is nobody else in sight
for twenty yards or so. As he looks again towards the
British trench, he sees a figure walking behind the smoke
from the nearby fire. Quickly, the figure steps through the
smoke. It is ENRIGHT, with his rifle at his side.
BACK TO:
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND - NIGHT
ENRIGHT pulls the bolt action on the rifle, loading a fresh
round into the chamber with a loud "click" that carries over
the other sounds within earshot. His face is blank, yet
there is fire behind his eyes.
CPT. EVANS begins to walk towards him.
CPT. EVANS
Tom?
ENRIGHT does not reply and continues to walk straight ahead.
They are about thirty feet apart now.
CPT. EVANS
Tom, what is this?
Twenty feet.
CPT. EVANS
Hey, Tom...
Ten feet. The men surrounding the fire nearby notice the
weapon and keep an eye on ENRIGHT as he walks.
CPT. EVANS
Tom, what the hell is this?
ENRIGHT, who's concentration is still untainted, is about to
pass by. He does not look at CPT. EVANS, rather over his
should towards the German trench. As ENRIGHT brushes by his
shoulder, CPT. EVANS places his hand on his chest in an
effort to slow him down.
CPT. EVANS
Tom!
ENRIGHT finally acknowledges CPT. EVANS's presence, but it is
only to push him aside using the stock of his rifle.
CPT. EVANS
Jesus!
ENRIGHT doesn't get a foot further before CPT. EVANS grabs
the back of his collar. In response, ENRIGHT turns slightly
and throws his shoulder into CPT. EVANS' torso. That's it.
CPT. EVANS wraps both arms around ENRIGHT, lifts him barely
off his feet, and throws him to the ground.
CPT. EVANS
Tom, what the fuck!
ENRIGHT's face strains as he starts to get up again. CPT.
EVANS replies by pushing him back down. He is now down on
his knees holding ENRIGHT to the ground.
ENRIGHT
Get the fuck off of me!
CPT. EVANS
Tom, what the hell is wrong with
you!?
ENRIGHT
Get off me!
CPT. EVANS
Settle down!
ENRIGHT
Fuck you.
CPT. EVANS
Hey!
ENRIGHT is still trying to squirm out of CPT. EVANS' way but
to no avail.
CPT. EVANS
Tom! Enough!
ENRIGHT eases up a bit and looks as if he is calming down.
In response, CPT. EVANS slowly loosens his grip on ENRIGHT's
coat.
CPT. EVANS
Ok...
Suddenly, ENRIGHT moves and reaches for his rifle that has
fallen near him. Seeing this, CPT. EVANS pins his arm down
with his knee.
ENRIGHT
Ah!
CPT. EVANS is able to remove the rifle from ENRIGHT's grip.
He quickly removes the magazine, throws it off into the
darkness, and pulls the bolt action back which releases the
round that has been chambered.
ENRIGHT is still doing his best to get up, so CPT. EVANS
presses the rifle across his chest and pushes him down.
CPT. EVANS
Tom, what the fuck has gotten in to
you!?
After another few seconds of squirming, ENRIGHT realizes his
effort is futile. His eyes fill with tears and he begins to
break down.
ENRIGHT
He killed him.
CPT. EVANS
What?
ENRIGHT
(a little louder)
He killed him!
CPT. EVANS
What in God's name are you talking
about? Who killed who?
ENRIGHT has trouble searching for the words. When he does
speak them, they are muffled by the lump in his throat.
ENRIGHT
Nathan...
CPT. EVANS
What!?
ENRIGHT
Nathan.
CPT. EVANS
What the hell are you talking
about? Who's Nathan?
CPT. EVANS has to think for a second.
CPT. EVANS
Corporal Tilley?
CPT. EVANS slowly lifts the rifle off of ENRIGHT's chest.
CPT. EVANS
Tilley?
Suddenly, ENRIGHT jumps up to his knees and attempts again to
run towards the German trench. CPT. EVANS grabs him from
behind and forcefully holds him back.
CPT. EVANS
Hey!
ENRIGHT
He killed him! He fucking killed
him!
CPT. EVANS is able to toss ENRIGHT a few feet back. He lands
on his back but quickly gets up on his knees yet again. This
time, however, he stays put. CPT. EVANS is still overly
cautious and on alert for his next attempted break.
CPT. EVANS
What are you talking about!? Who?
ENRIGHT
(pointing towards the
trench)
Him!
CPT. EVANS
Him? Who is "him?"
ENRIGHT
(it takes him a beat to
get the name out)
Him...Leon!
CPT. EVANS
Leon?
(he as to put a face to
the name)
Leon, the man you have been
spending all evening with?
ENRIGHT, with tears running down his face, nods.
CPT. EVANS
What, did he tell you?
ENRIGHT
No, he didn't fucking tell me!
CPT. EVANS
Then how do you know!?
ENRIGHT
I saw...I saw him...
CPT. EVANS
You saw him?
ENRIGHT
I saw...he has a fucking...gun!
CPT. EVANS
He what?
ENRIGHT takes a breath.
ENRIGHT
I saw his fucking rifle with a
fucking scope, and the fucking
camouflage
CPT. EVANS
You saw his weapon and camouflage!?
ENRIGHT nods.
CPT. EVANS
How do you know!?
ENRIGHT
I just fucking saw...
CPT. EVANS
(interrupting)
How do YOU KNOW it was him!?
ENRIGHT
I just saw his rifle, his fucking
sniper rifle, and his camouflage,
he's a fucking sniper!
CPT. EVANS
But how do you know it was him!?
ENRIGHT
I fucking told you already, I
just...
CPT. EVANS
(interrupting again)
Tom, listen to me! Tom!
CPT. EVANS grabs a handful of ENRIGHT's hair and pulls his
head back.
CPT. EVANS
Tom!
ENRIGHT finally quiets down.
CPT. EVANS
Tom...how do you know it was him?
ENRIGHT does not say a word, yet continues to sob.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
And even if it was him, even IF it
was, what bloody difference would
it make!?
ENRIGHT looks at him bewildered at how he could say such a
thing.
CPT. EVANS
You are going to tell me with
absolute certainty that you have
not caused the death of somebody
that was possibly Leon's friend?
(pointing towards a nearby
German)
Or his?
(yet another)
Or his?
ENRIGHT doesn't reply.
CPT. EVANS
Perhaps I should allow them to let
loose at you because you yourself
came over here holding a weapon.
(beat)
I helped bury seven German soldiers
this morning, and using your
completely fucked logic, the
Germans should be able to blame you
for all of them
(beat)
Are you really that fucking blind?
ENRIGHT looks at him with contempt.
ENRIGHT
Who are you to judge me on this?
Less than twelve hours ago you
sentenced each one of these men to
death. Men who you have spent the
last hours laughing, drinking, and
smoking with. You're a fucking
hypocrite. You have NO right to
judge what I've done today!
CPT. EVANS has no response he can offer. ENRIGHT forcefully
wipes the tears off of his face.
CPT. EVANS
You're right.
CPT. EVANS looks over the ground briefly before eventually
finding the round he expelled from the rifle chamber. He
then picks up ENRIGHT's rifle, pulls back the bolt, and loads
the round into the slide. Without a word, he tosses the
rifle into ENRIGHT's lap before leaning back and sitting
comfortably on the grass.
CPT. EVANS
Feel free. But before you do...if
you do...I hope to the Lord that
you realize that everything you
have fought for, any personal or
emotional battles you have waged
against me, Major Crossland, His
Majesty, anybody, anyone who is
responsible for us, these men, our
friends and family living here, and
more importantly, dying here...will
become obsolete.
ENRIGHT
Don't even try to fucking convince
me that you are on my side, or even
that you see my side.
CPT. EVANS
The ones who call the shots aren't
here, Tom. They are not among the
dead we have buried or the lame we
have recovered. With my own hands
I have buried men who I know I have
killed. Perhaps not with the pull
of the trigger but with the order
to do so.
ENRIGHT's edginess begins to fade away slowly.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
(pointing towards the
German trench)
And with their own hands they have
buried men who they know they have
killed...like Tilley. Sterling.
Adams. Jamison.
ENRIGHT lets out a sob mixed with laughter as it is obvious
he remembers a fond memory of Jamison.
CPT. EVANS (CONT'D)
And from talking, or like you said,
drinking and laughing with these
men, I could tell that they also
realize that on each end of our
rifles, we are exactly the same.
Beat.
ENRIGHT
(calmer now)
And yet you still plan on having
them slaughtered tomorrow.
CPT. EVANS
(quickly)
I spoke with Crossland and asked
him to call off the assault.
ENRIGHT
What?
CPT. EVANS
He denied it. He said it was too
perfect a plan, and that they still
plan to use the bombardment
strategy that I devised for them,
and that if the outcome is
favorable, I would receive a
commendation.
An emotional beat.
CPT. EVANS
But any paper or ceritification
they hand to me will be used merely
as shit paper. And I know what
you're thinking, Tom. You're
thinking that after tomorrow, I
will have to live the rest of my
life in agony of what is bound to
transpire.
(beat)
I would just like you to know that
following what I, everybody, what
we have experienced today as human
beings...I realize that I have
passed that threshold of agony many
gunshots ago.
Beat.
CPT. EVANS
You told me that there were no
heros here, only victims. I have
met many heros today.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
INT. THE GERMAN TRENCH - NIGHT
ENRIGHT, CPT. EVANS, and SHEPARD sit with LEON, NIKLAS, and
various other GERMAN SOLDIERS. The men are talking,
laughing, drinking, smoking. We cannot hear them, but their
actions speak louder than words
FADE TO:
INT. THE GERMAN TRENCH - NIGHT
ENRIGHT stands next to LEON with his arms wrapped around his
shoulder. A GERMAN SOLDIER takes a photograph of the two,
who are both smiling.
FADE TO:
INT. THE GERMAN TRENCH - NIGHT
ENRIGHT, SHEPARD, and CPT. EVANS, now standing, are shaking
hands with various GERMAN SOLDIERS while hugging others. It
is obvious that they are on their way out.
FADE TO:
INT. THE GERMAN TRENCH - NIGHT
"Steinerne Furt 62
D-861 Augsburg
Germany"
LEON finishes writing his address on a small piece of paper
before handing it to ENRIGHT, who gives him his address at
the same time. The two men shake hands briefly before it
evolves into a hug.
They are both understandably emotional, however ENRIGHT is
the more shaken of the two. Behind his eyes lies the
knowledge that chances are LEON will never get the chance to
receive one of his letters. For LEON this is a casual
goodbye. For ENRIGHT, it is a permanent one.
FADE TO:
EXT. FIELD - NIGHT
The full moon continues to shine on the field separating the
Front Line from the Reserve Trench. From the air, we see
dozens of dirty, cold, and weary men walking south towards
the Reserve Trench, while the fresh meat walk proudly towards
the Front Line. The two sets of men do not stop to
fraternize, rather they silently pass in between each other.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - NIGHT
ENRIGHT, walking slowly next to SHEPARD with tears fresh on
his cheeks, eventually looks down at his rifle, pulls the
bolt back, and removes the single round from the chamber. He
looks at it for a beat before slinging the rifle over his
shoulder. He then removes a small piece of paper from his
breast pocket and opens it.
"Steinerne Furt 62
D-861 Augsburg
Germany"
After reading the address, he places the unused round on the
small piece of paper and rolls it up in it. He then places
the paper/round back in his breast pocket.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. YPRES, BELGIUM - MORNING
The broken town we have seen earlier now basks in the
sunlight that has no clouds to obstruct it.
CUT TO:
INT. A DAMAGED ROOM - MORNING
A dozen or so military cots are set up in this small, dank
room. Bullet holes are visible on every segment of the room,
and large pieces of the wall are missing in some places.
The men sleep soundly, with the dark green blankets pulled up
tightly near their heads. Boots and helmets are placed near
each and every cot.
As THE CAMERA moves closer to a single man in the corner of
the room, we see that it is ENRIGHT. Fast asleep, he looks
as if he has finally had that shower.
Suddenly, a low booming noise is heard in the distance.
ENRIGHT slowly opens his eyes. Another one is heard. Then
another. The speed and frequency of these deep, booming
noises continue as ENRIGHT quickly jumps out of bead and
heads to a large hole in the room looking out to the north.
The CAMERA follows behind him as he speed walks towards the
hole. As he stops and gazes outside, the CAMERA continues
over his shoulder and stops just outside the room, which now
seems as if it is on the third or fourth story of a building.
We see MORTAR after MORTAR after MORTAR being fired from the
British Reserve Trench, and the resulting explosions down at
the GERMAN TRENCH. The MORTARS continue to fire and explode
over and over and over again. Continuously, it seems is if
they will never cease. Suddenly, a loud WHISTLE is heard in
the distance, and no less than a hundred men quickly exit the
BRITISH TRENCH and run, hauling ass, down across NO MAN'S
LAND towards the GERMAN TRENCH. A collective "AAAAAHHHHHH"
can be heard from the men now running across the field
towards the enemy. The men continue to run and the MORTARS
continue to fire as we slowly...
FADE TO BLACK.
The following text fades in:
In the winter of 1914, unofficial armistices occurred in
hundreds of locations throughout Europe.
The text fades out, followed by:
Although labeled as truces for only the Christmas holiday,
many of these peace accords lasted until the beginning of
February of 1915.
The text fades out, followed by:
The ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame.
On each end of the rifle, we're the same.
- Anonymous British Soldier, 1914
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